LIBERAL ? A veteran leader of Kansas’ junior colleges has been named interim president of Seward County Community College, filling the vacancy created by the suicide of James Grote earlier this month.

James Tangeman, of Garden City, will begin next week at the school in Liberal. He accepted the job Wednesday at a meeting of the board of trustees.

Tangeman retired in 2000 after 12 years as president of Garden City Community College. Before that he served 16 years as president of Colby Community College. In 2002, he worked as interim president of Barton County Community College while that school was seeking a new leader.

Grote was found dead in the back yard of his home Oct. 14, and the coroner ruled that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The search for a permanent president will begin quickly, Tangeman said, but it may take time for a successor to begin because candidates may be on yearlong contracts.