The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed John Schwenn to serve as interim president of Emporia State University as the board searches for a new president to replace Kay Schallenkamp.

Schwenn is ESU’s vice president for academic affairs. He will assume the new duties following departure of Schallenkamp later this month. Schwenn will earn $150,000 as interim president.

Schallenkamp is leaving the post to be president of Blackhills State University in South Dakota.

The search for a permanent successor is in the recruitment phase, and applications are being received, Regent Jancie DeBauge said.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications in mid-June. Semi-finalists will be selected in mid-July and interviews of the semi-finalists will be conducted in early August. Finalists will visit the ESU campus following Labor Day. The search committee will present its final report to the Board of Regents in September.