Eds: UPDATES with interim president named; APNewsNow. Will be led.

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) An Iowa college president has been named the interim president at North Dakota State University.

The state Board of Higher education appointed Richard Hanson to the position Friday. He's the current president of Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and has strong North Dakota ties.

Hanson is a native of Hillsboro, an NDSU alumnus, former Football star and a former associate vice president for academic affairs at NDSU in the early 1990s.

Hanson will succeed Joseph Chapman, who is resigning Jan. 2. The board hopes to hire a permanent president by July 1.

University system Chancellor William Goetz says he's still negotiating a start time for Hanson. Goetz wants Hanson to start Dec. 1 and work for seven months with a salary of $175,000.

Board member Mike Haugen asked Goetz if Hanson could start earlier. Goetz says he's discussing that possibility with Hanson.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-23-09 0830CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list