Jeff Atwater in the run for FAU Presidency

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has his eyes on the presidency of Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University.

On Saturday, the Palm Beach Postreported, In an email to staffers today, Atwater says he was approached' about applying for the top job at the Boca Raton-based school and decided to do so after much thought and discussion with my family."

Applications for the position are due Monday when a search committee will meet to choose eight applicants to be invited for interviews Thursday and Friday.

Afterward, FAUs board of trustees will interview three finalists Jan. 17 and choose a president that day, according to university spokeswoman Lisa Metcalf.

Atwater hails from North Palm Beach and has close ties to FAU, where two of his children attended graduated college. Another is currently attending the university.

FAU has been riddled with controversy over the past year -- former president Mary Jane Saunders resigned after a contentuous year where she became involved in an altercation with a student in March. The student accused Saunders of hitting her with her car while she was leaving the Jupiter campus during a protest.

"There is no doubt the recent controversies have been significant and distracting to all members of the university community," Saunders wrote. "The issues and the fiercely negative media coverage have forced me to reassess my position as the president of FAU. I must make choices that are the best for the university, me and my family.

If Atwater is selected as president, it would leave a coveted spot open for a new CFO candidate, though no one has officially thrown their hat into the ring just yet.