RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) - A former state lawmaker and administrator at Eastern Kentucky University is recommending that school regents hire "a change agent" to replace the retiring president.

Harry Moberly spoke during a public forum Monday night to gather input on what the community wants to see as a search firm helps the university look for a new leader. Current President Doug Whitlock is retiring at the end of next July.

The Richmond Register (http://bit.ly/UDeaH0 ) reports that Moberly said EKU has many assets but ranks "very low" in categories tracked by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, such as student recruitment, retention and graduation.

He said poor enrollment numbers at the school has led to a decrease in state funding, which will be a challenge for the next president to overcome.