After just four months on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, Ken Powell has been elected its vice chairman.

Powell, who is also chairman of General Mills, will serve with the newly elected board chairman, David McMillan.

The new leaders were elected unanimously by the board Friday.

Powell, of Golden Valley, was named a regent in February by the Legislature. On Thursday he was among a number of regents who questioned President Eric Kaler's proposal to raise tuition on in-state undergraduates by 3 percent.

McMillan, of Duluth, is executive vice president of Minnesota Power and served as vice chairman of the board of regents for the past two years.

McMillan, a regent for six years, will succeed the current chairman, Dean Johnson, a Lutheran minister and former state Senate Majority Leader from Willmar.

David McMillan

Johnson, who completes his two-year term as chairman this month, wished his successor well with an allusion to the recent turmoil at the university, which includes a series of athletic department scandals as well as looming financial pressures.

"May your ride be smoother than mine," he said.

Maura Lerner • 612-673-7384