GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The University of Florida has chosen Cornell University's provost to be its 12th president.
W. Kent Fuchs was chosen by the Board of Trustees on Wednesday after a three-day process of meetings and interviews. He will replace Bernie Machen, who is retiring at the end of the year.
This presidential search process began in March. It was the second attempt to replace Machen, who initially said he would retire in 2013. He decided to stay put just days before a successor was chosen.
Machen said he had changed his mind after Gov. Rick Scott committed to support the school's goal of becoming a top 10 public university. It is currently No. 14 in U.S. News & World Report's top public universities.
Machen has led the school since 2004.
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