By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

MIAMI, Okla. — Glenn Mayle, president of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, will resign Oct. 1 to be closer to family in Arizona.

Mayle, 65, has been president of NEO since Jan. 1, 1998. Mayle did not return a telephone call to the Globe, but in a written release from NEO on Wednesday said the last 18 months have been difficult as seven family members and relatives of he and his wife have died.

The resignation comes only a month after Bill Abel, NEO’s vice president of academic affairs — the position second to the president — announced he was retiring.

Christen Stark, director of public relations and marketing for NEO, said she did not know who would serve as interim president after Mayle leaves.

“We’re going to be looking to fill our top two positions,” she said.

Stark said the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will form a committee to help with the nationwide search for Mayle’s successor, as well as Abel’s. The committee that helped choose Mayle in 1998 was made up of NEO faculty, students and community members.

Stark said Mayle does not plan to retire after moving to Arizona, and has talked about starting a business or working with another educational institution.

“Right now, it’s about making the move to be closer to family, then making that decision on what he will do,” Stark said.

Mayle was at NEO’s helm during some of its recent challenges.

In 2000, he oversaw construction of a student activity center to replace a gymnasium that burned down. And just last year, serious flooding caused $15 million in damage to 14 NEO buildings. Classes started on schedule last fall and the gymnasium and health sciences buildings are being remodeled. NEO’s 10-year accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools also was recently renewed.