HOUSTON -- The embattled Texas Southern University has named a final candidate for president after operating without one for more than a year, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

The university, which is funded, in part, by tax dollars, has been mired in a spending scandal and has been placed on probation by the Association of Colleges and Schools.

The Board of Regents chose Dr. John Rudley, who was all smiles as he left through a back door after his interview.

Rudley is the interim president of the University of Houston.

The other candidate for the top job was Anthony Hall, the city of Houston's chief administrative officer.

"Under the law in the state of Texas, a finalist has to be announced, then there has to be a 21 days allowed, a minimum of 21 days allowed for a public comment before any further action can be taken," Chairman Glenn Lewis said.

"It's time to move on," graduate student Arthur Monroe said. "It will be a great opportunity for students to figure out who our new president is. Is this someone who we really want us to represent us as a president and lead us for hopefully the next 10 years?"

The position opened up when the university fired President Priscilla Slade after she was accused of misspending taxpayer money. Investigators claimed she used the university's funds to pay for her personal home, landscaping and furnishings.

Slade's first trial ended with a hung jury. She will be retried later this year.

J. Timothy Boddie. Jr. is currently the interim president of TSU.