The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed retired U.S. Air Force General and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Richard Myers as the interim president at Kansas State University.
Myers will take over from Kirk Schulz, who leaves next month for a job at Washington State University.
“I am confident, given the tremendous leadership experience he has gained throughout his career, that Retired Gen. Myers will successfully oversee K-State while we search for the university’s next president,” said Shane Bangerter, Chair of the Kansas Board of Regents, in the press release.
Myers has strong Kansas connections. He was born and raised in Merriam and graduated from Shawnee Mission North High School before attending K-State. He graduated there in 1965 with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.
He received an MBA from Auburn in 1977 and also attended the Air Command and Staff College and U.S. Army War College.
Myers joined the Air Force in 1965 through K-State’s ROTC program. As a command pilot, he flew fighter jet combat missions in Vietnam. He chaired the Joint Chiefs from 2001 to 2005 and also received the Presidential Medal of Honor.
Currently, Myers is a part-time military history professor at K-State and chairman of the university’s Foundation.
A press conference is scheduled for next week. Myers is expected to make a public statement and take questions then.
Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR 89.3. He's also co-host of KCUR's political podcast Statehouse Blend. Follow him on Twitter @samzeff.
