April 15, 1999

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University Athletics Director Dr. Merritt J. Norvell Jr. announced Thursday that he will be leaving Michigan State this spring to join DHR International, Inc. as president of its new Division of Education Services.

DHR International is a top 10 executive search firm and one of the fastest growing search firms in the U.S. DHR was recently purchased by EPS Solutions of Costa Mesa, Calif., which is the nation's largest service integrator of profit improvement solutions with a $300 million revenue base.

As president of the Division of Education Services, Norvell will direct DHRs executive search and consulting endeavors for the country's massive education marketplace, which ranges from the public school systems to colleges and universities. Further, Norvell has been appointed to serve on the company's Senior Operating Committee.

"We're ecstatic over recruiting Merritt as president of our Education Services practice," DHR's Chairman David H. Hoffmann said. "Norvell's accomplishments at Michigan State are representative of his outstanding leadership ability and will prove him to be a great success and an integral part of our growing national practice."

"I'm pleased with the progress we have made in MSU athletics these past four years," Norvell said, "and feel the Spartans' competitive future is bright. However, this is an opportunity that I feel is best for my family and me. I wish to thank Michigan State for giving me an opportunity to become one of only four African-American athletic directors in the U.S. at major football schools and hope others will get an opportunity to follow. I wish the Spartans continued success."