RENO - Nevada regents on Thursday unanimously approved a University of Nevada, Reno speech department chairman as interim president at UNR pending a national search for a permanent president.
The regents unanimously endorsed Stephen McFarlane, 58, who had been nominated by Chancellor Jane Nichols to temporarily succeed outgoing president Joe Crowley.
Crowley is stepping down Dec. 31 after 22 years and plans to return to teaching.
McFarlane, who has been at UNR for 26 years, is chairman of the speech pathology and audiology department.
Regents Chairwoman Thalia Dondero has 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.
In other action, the University and Community College System of Nevada regents named Dr. Rita Huneycutt to serve as interim president of Truckee Meadows Community College.
She takes over from John Richardson, who plans to end his three-year tenure at TMCC early next year.
