MOREHEAD, Ky. – Regents at Morehead State University hired a Tennessee administrator as president, passing over two other finalists, including former University of Maine President Peter Hoff.

Wayne D. Andrews, a vice president at East Tennessee State University, was chosen Thursday to lead the eastern Kentucky school.

Morehead’s regents voted unanimously to authorize a four-year contract at an annual salary of $210,000, beginning Jan. 1.

The other two finalists for the job – G. Edward Hughes, the founding president and chief executive officer of Gateway Community and Technical College in Covington, and Hoff – had removed themselves from consideration in the 24 hours before the board’s decision.

Current Morehead President Ronald G. Eaglin, who is retiring next month and who is the longest-tenured current president of a public university in Kentucky, congratulated the board for making what he described as “an excellent choice.”

Andrews is vice president for administration and chief operating officer at the Johnson City, Tenn., school.