MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin System regents have selected former Gov. Tommy Thompson as the system's interim president.
The system announced Thompson's appointment Friday. He will take over on July 1.
He will replace outgoing President Ray Cross, who announced in October he would step down when a successor was found.
The regents had planned to hire University of Alaska System President Jim Johnsen but Johnsen withdrew from consideration last week amid criticism from faculty, staff and students.
Thompson, a Republican, is Wisconsin's only four-term governor. He stepped down during his fourth term to serve as then-President George W. Bush's health secretary.
