MSU provost returning to classroom

Mississippi State's provost and vice president for academic affairs will give up that position by June 30.

Derek J. Hodgson has headed the university's academic programs since August 1994. A tenured professor of chemistry, he said that he expects to return to classroom teaching and research at the university but also is considering other options.

A national search for Hodgson's successor got under way in January. Hodgson came to Mississippi State from the University of Wyoming, where he had served since 1987 as professor and head of the Chemistry Department and as vice president for research.