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Former marine science dean chosen as interim USF St. Pete chancellor

 
Published July 13, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — A former dean of the University of South Florida college of marine science has been named interim leader of USF St. Petersburg.

Bill Hogarth, who played a pivotal role in USF's response and research of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill two years ago, will take the reins from Margaret Sullivan, who announced her retirement last month.

"Bill is a respected administrator who has cultivated deep relationships within the community and who will keep USFSP moving forward on its path to excellence," USF president Judy Genshaft said in a statement Thursday. "He knows the institution and the community, he understands the USF System, and he is committed to the success of our students."

Hogarth, director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, will take the helm Aug. 6 while continuing his leadership of the marine science consortium, USF said.

He served as marine science dean from 2007 to 2011. He is also the former director of the National Marine Fisheries Service and former chairman of the International Whaling Commission and the high-profile International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas.

He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Richmond in Virginia and a doctorate from North Carolina State University.

"It's a great place. It's going in the right direction," Hogarth said. "It's not one that you have to come in and fix a lot of problems."

Meanwhile, Genshaft appointed the dean of USF St. Petersburg's College of Arts and Sciences, Frank A. Biafora, to lead a committee overseeing a national search for a permanent chancellor.

Kim Wilmath can be reached at kwilmath@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3337.