Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute of Politics, plans to return to Kansas University in March, he said Wednesday evening.

Lacy took a leave of absence last semester to run the presidential campaign of former Sen. Fred Thompson. Thompson ended his campaign Tuesday, and Lacy said he would be returning just as soon as he has a chance to take some much-needed vacation.

“I’m going to recuperate from all the mileage I’ve put on this body,” Lacy said. “When you’re 54, that’s a little bit old for all of this.”

Lacy said he was excited to make the return to KU.

He said he’s built new connections and picked up new knowledge that will help him with programming at the Dole Institute and also in working with students.

In his time off between now and March, Lacy said he was going to spend time on his bicycle, golf and enjoy the good food he’s missed with all the hours he put into the campaign.