DICKINSON (AP) - A Dickinson State University search committee has narrowed to six the number of candidates for the school's presidency.

President Lee Vickers plans to retire at the end of the calendar year. Seventeen people initially applied to be his successor. The state Board of Higher Education hopes to hire Vickers' successor before Christmas.

The six chosen after interviews with the candidates over interactive video are John Ryder of the State University of New York System; Bruce Speck of Austin Peay State University; William Nevious of Hudepohl & Associates; Gregory Aloia of Florida Atlantic University; Joseph Bascuas, most recently of Medaille College; and Richard McCallum of Missouri Southern State University.