National University Names Interim President

The Board of Trustees of National University selected a new interim president Wednesday as it officially began its search for a new head of the school, a spokesman for the board said.

Dr. Frank J. Hennessy, the vice president for academic affairs, was selected to take over for the previous interim president, Murray C. Cook, while the university begins its nationwide search, which it hopes to complete within 12 months, Dr. John Warren, a trustee, said.

National University, a school geared largely toward higher education for those in the work force, made the announcement after a board meeting Wednesday at the main campus in Mission Valley.

Cook took over the presidency April 15 when David Chigos resigned to become president emeritus. Chigos, who is one of the founders of the institution and the force behind its opening in 1972, has since had no role in the university, Warren said.

At the same time, the university announced plans to embark on a comprehensive evaluation and reorganization effort, Warren said. He declined to elaborate on the university’s specific goals and denied that any of the university’s 12 campuses scattered over California, Nevada and Costa Rica will be closed.

Warren did indicate that the reorganization is part of an effort to reduce tensions and normalize National University’s relationship with the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges, which put the university on probation last year. He said the probation has been suspended.

Hennessy has held a number of positions at other institutions of higher learning.