HARRISBURG — William Williams was named today as the interim president of Slippery Rock University, effective Feb. 11.

The Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education made the appointment.

Williams, who has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at SRU since 2003, will serve as interim president until a permanent president is hired. A search committee appointed by the university’s Council of Trustees is reviewing potential candidates.

The state system board will make the final selection.

Robert Smith, who served as president of the university since May 2004, will retire next month.