STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) - A graduate of the Medical College of Georgia and Augusta State University is the new president of Georgia Southern University.

Louisiana State University administrator Brooks A. Keel,
vice chancellor for research and economic
development at LSU, will take over the helm of the Statesboro
university Jan. 1.

The 53-year-old replaces longtime President
Bruce Grube, who is stepping down after a decade in office.

Keel, a biomedical professor, was chosen Monday from a pool of
three finalists for the job. He also has worked as associate vice
president of research at Florida State University in Tallahassee
and in various positions at the University of Kansas School of
Medicine-Wichita.

Georgia Southern, which is in southeast Georgia, has about
18,000 students.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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