Gary L. Miller announced May 3 that he was stepping down as WSU provost to take a position as chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

“I’m pleased that a person of Keith’s experience and background, especially in working closely with the Kansas Board of Regents, is available to serve in this critical role, until our search for a provost who will serve on a permanent basis is completed,” said WSU President Don Beggs.

Pickus said he is proud to be named into the interim position.

“Having begun here as an assistant professor in 1995, it is a tremendous honor to be asked to take on these responsibilities,” he said.

There are many challenges facing Wichita State, according to Pickus, especially in regard to the expectations laid out by the Kansas Board of Regents in its 10-year strategic agenda, “Foresight 2020.”

“We need to be fully engaged and determine what its implications are for Wichita State University,” Pickus said.

Pickus has been associate provost for the past four years and previously served as the associate dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from 2001-2007. He is also a professor of modern German and European history.