The Board of Trustees of University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA, has unanimously chosen Dr. Tony G. Waldrop as the school's next president, effective April. Waldrop replaces the late Gordon Moulton, who retired July 1, 2013 after serving in the position for 15 years.

Waldrop is provost and executive vice president at the University of Central Florida, UCF, since 2010. Prior to UCF, Waldrop served as the vice chancellor for research and economic development at the University of North Carolina and vice chancellor for research at the University of Illinois.

"In Tony Waldrop, we believe we have found the absolute best person to lead the University of South Alabama as we begin our next 50 years," Dr. Steve Furr, chairman of the USA Board of Trustees and vice-chair of USA's Presidential Search Committee, said in a statement.

Furr said that Wladrop is a talented researcher, teacher and administrator in higher education for more than 30 years. His stints at some of the prestigious universities make him the right candidate to lead USA.

Waldrop earned a bachelor's degree in political science, a master's in physical education and a Ph.D. in physiology, all from the University of North Carolina. Besides academics, Waldrop also achieved athletic success at the University. He won two NCAA championships as a mile runner on the track and field team and set a world record for the indoor mile, three minutes and 55 seconds, in 1974.

Waldrop said that USA is known to deliver quality education for students. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join USA at this exciting juncture," said Waldrop. "The people of the University are unified in their energy and dedication to providing an outstanding, affordable education. I am proud to become part of the team."