James Underwood, a longtime professor of political science at Union College, will take the helm as interim president after President Roger Hull steps down June 30.
Underwood's appointment was announced Saturday by Steve Ciesinski, chairman of the college board of trustees.
“He was the obvious first choice from a strong pool of candidates,” Ciesinski said. “He is a respected leader who has taught generations of Union students how to lead.”
A graduate of Pennsylvania's Franklin and Marshall College, he holds a doctorate from Syracuse University. Underwood, 67, began his career at Union College in 1963 and has taught courses on policy making, civil rights and political leadership. From 1978-84, he served as chair of the political science department and from 1988-94 he was dean of faculty. When he retired from teaching full-time two years ago, Underwood had been the longest-serving faculty member.
He said he is looking forward to the presidency. Underwood expects to serve about a year while a search committee looks for a permanent replacement. He is still in talks with administrators about his salary.
“I'm eager to do it,” he said. “But I also know that being president of a college is a very hard job, and it won't always be fun. But a lot of the time it will be fun, and sometimes it'll be exhilarating.”
In addition to his work on campus, Underwood worked as a consultant to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization and is co-author of a book on Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller.
He resides in Niskayuna with his wife, Jean.