ORONO (AP) – University of Maine President Peter Hoff is in the running to be the next president of the University of Texas at Arlington, a school with more than twice as many students as UMaine.

Hoff, 59, is one of five finalists for the position. Hoff said he was solicited by a search consultant working the university, and that he and his wife will visit the campus Thursday and Friday and meet with faculty, students, administrators and community members.

“We’ll go out and listen to what they have to say, answer questions, tell them a little of what we’re about, fly home, and put the whole event behind us unless something unusual or extraordinary happens,” he said.

Hoff was hired in 1997 to remake the university’s image and boost declining revenue and falling enrollment at the Orono campus. Enrollment has since increased by 23 percent, to 11,222 students.

During the same period, research funding has doubled, from $25 million to $50 million. The university has also spent more than $100 million on new construction and facility upgrades.

Charles Johnson III, chairman of the UMaine System Board of Trustees, said Hoff’s leadership has clearly played a role in improvements at the school.

He said trustees understand that most college presidents typically stay at one job for only three to five years, and that Hoff has remained at his post longer than most. Hoff is the longest-serving UMaine president in 38 years.

“Peter is committed 100 percent to this job,” Johnson said.

Hoff’s success at Maine means he will be on the short list for administrative posts at larger universities, said Jeff Mills, the university’s vice president for advancement and also president of its alumni association.

“We should be very proud of that and accept that it’s going to be a reality.” he said.

Other finalists for the position are fom Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Arkansas, Michigan State University and the University of Houston System.

AP-ES-10-22-03 0216EDT