Central Michigan University names provost interim president

The No. 2 official at Central Michigan University has been named interim president ahead of the expected appointment of a permanent president next month.

The school's Board of Trustees on Monday appointed executive vice president and provost Michael Gealt to the temporary post, effective Aug. 1.

 Board Chairman Bill Weideman said the trustees are on schedule to name the university's next president in August.

"Provost Gealt has the experience to ensure CMU stays the course in delivering a high-quality education and supports students extraordinarily well as the university prepares for and begins the fall semester," Weideman said. "It's important we have someone in the presidential role at all times to make sure our daily operations run smoothly."

Gealt steps into the shoes vacated by President George E. Ross, who announced in January that he would be stepping down from his leadership role, effective July 31.