UA President Robert Witt has been named the next chancellor of the University of Alabama system. Provost Judy Bonner will serve as the interim president of the University.

Witt will replace Malcolm Portera, who is ending a decade-long stint at the position. Witt spent nine years as the president of the Tuscaloosa campus, drastically increasing both the academic standards and student population of the University.

“Since 2003, The University of Alabama has thrived under the vision and leadership of Dr.  Witt,”  Bonner said in an emailed statement.  “During the next few months, I look forward to working with the UA family to keep our University on a trajectory of growth with quality, and to maintaining our long-standing commitment to excellence in every endeavor.  Our outstanding faculty and staff demonstrate their commitment to our students and their success on a daily basis, and I am honored to have this opportunity to serve as interim president during this time of transition. We look forward to working with Dr. Witt in his new role as chancellor of the UA System, and wish him much success in the years to come.”

“Judy Bonner is the senior administrator I have worked with most closely during my nine years as president of UA. She has been by my side as we have framed the vision for our future and as we have executed the strategic plan that has turned that vision into a reality,” Witt said in the same statement.

The Crimson White will have more as the story develops.