Columbus State University president retiring after 7 years

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — The president of Columbus State University is retiring.

The school announced last week that Chris Markwood’s final day as president will be June 30, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.

According to Columbus State, John Fuchko III, the University System of Georgia’s vice chancellor for organizational effectiveness, will serve as interim president until a new president is hired.

“President Markwood has made a point throughout his career to focus on students and make sure they had the support they needed on campus and in the classroom to succeed,” USG acting chancellor Teresa MacCartney said. “We appreciate his service to USG and wish him and his family well.”

Columbus State’s Board of Regents approved Markwood’s hiring in April 2015. Two months later, he officially replaced the retired Tim Mescon to become the fifth president in the school’s history.

Markwood, 56, previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and, during five years at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, served as interim chancellor and vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculties.

“I could not have asked for a better place than Columbus State University and a better opportunity than serving as its fifth president for the past seven years,” Markwood said, in a letter emailed to the Columbus State community. “While I am grateful for every place and situation my 30-plus-year career has found me, I consider my time at Columbus State truly a privilege.”