(WICHITA, Kan.) — John William Bardo is the new president of Wichita State University. The Kansas Board of Regents made the announcement Friday morning after a special meeting.
"My wife and I are very excited to be part of the WSU family," Bardo said. "Wichita State is a wonderful university with great potential. Wichita is a tremendous community and we're delighted to be back. I look forward to working closely with the university's students, staff and faculty, as well as with Wichita's business and civic leaders, in advancing WSU's mission."
Bardo taught sociology at WSU from 1973 to 1983. His wife Deborah is from Wichita and graduated from West High School.
President Donald Beggs announced his plan to retire last year. He has led the university since 1999.
Bardo served as the chancellor of Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, in North Carolina from 1995-2011. In 2011, he returned to the classroom as a professor of education.
