U of I-Chicago names new provost

The University of Illinois-Chicago has chosen a plant biologist and veteran administrator to be its next provost.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that Lon Kaufman was named provost on Wednesday.

Kaufman takes over for Michael Tanner. Tanner recently left the university after serving as provost since 2002.

Kaufman is 54. He previously has been vice provost for planning and programs at the university and vice provost for undergraduate affairs and dean of the Honors College.

He’s also been head of the university’s Department of Biological Sciences.