The sixth chancellor of the University of Minnesota, Morris, will be Rodney Hanley, the university announced Friday.

Hanley was named to replace Jacqueline R. Johnson, who is retiring in June. His appointment is expected to be approved by the Board of Regents on May 13 and to take effect July 1.

Hanley currently is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. Before that, he was provost and academic vice president at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario; dean of science at the University of Winnipeg; and chairman of the earth science department at the University of North Dakota.

About 1,900 students attend Morris, which is considered the liberal arts college of the University of Minnesota system.

"I've long admired Morris' commitment to diversity, sustainability and the liberal arts," Hanley said in a statement. "My family and I are excited to return to an area for which we have deep roots and for which we have great love."

Staff report