University Vice President for Research Timothy Mulcahy has withdrawn his name for the position of chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison last Thursday.

Mulcahy said in a statement that he made the “difficult decision” to notify the selection committee of his decision last Thursday after weighing personal and professional factors.

“In the end, my personal desire to enjoy quality time with my wife, children and grandchildren, combined with my professional interest in advancing a wide range of initiatives I have started at the University of Minnesota, led me to this decision,” he said.

News of his withdrawal came just hours after five regents held a special committee meeting Tuesday morning with a task of recommending a candidate for the position.

No additional meetings have been scheduled, which may mean the regents are prepared to offer their recommendation to University of Wisconsin system President Kevin Reilly, system spokesman Kevin Giroux said.

The finalists for the chancellor position are Cornell University Provost Biddy Martin, University of Wisconsin-Madison Dean of Letters and Sciences Gary Sandefur and University of Michigan economy and public policy professor Rebecca Blank.

Mulcahy has held his position at the University since February 2005. He was not available for comment.