RENO - A department chairman as been tapped to become interim president at the University of Nevada, Reno until a national search is conducted to find someone permanent to fill the post.
Stephen McFarlane, 58, has been nominated by Chancellor Jane Nichols to temporarily succeed outgoing president Joe Crowley, who is stepping down Dec. 31 after 23 years.
Crowley plans to return to teaching.
McFarlane, who has been at UNR for 26 years, is chairman of the speech pathology and audiology department.
Nichols chose McFarlane from a pool of several potential candidates for the temporary job and announced her decision Wednesday to faculty and staff.
The Board of Regents will take up the recommendation when it meets Oct. 19 and 20 in Carson City.
Regents Chairwoman Thalia Dondero said as interim president, McFarlane will not be considered for the permanent position of university president.
McFarlane said he's not interested in the president's job permanently but will be happy to serve on a temporary basis.
