BANGOR (AP) – Joseph Wood, provost and vice president of academic affairs at the University of Southern Maine, was named Monday as the school’s interim president.

Wood, 60, of Cumberland, was appointed by University of Maine System Chancellor Terrence MacTaggart to take over for Richard Pattenaude, who will succeed MacTaggart as top administrator of the seven-campus system.

Wood joined USM in 2000 after serving as vice provost for academic affairs and professor of geography at George Mason University. He and Pattenaude begin their new duties July 1.

MacTaggart cited Wood’s knowledge of USM, the community and the issues facing the university and region.

“Dr. Wood has President Pattenaude’s strong support,” MacTaggart added. “Their longstanding working relationship will be extremely important as the transitions are made this summer.”

The search for Pattenaude’s long-term successor is expected to begin after the start of the fall semester and will be conducted at the university system level.

“I look forward to the challenge of helping to ensure a constructive transition as USM prepares for its next president,” Wood said. “My goal is to focus our efforts so that we do not lose momentum on initiatives which will broaden support for, and appreciation of, this university’s excellence in teaching, scholarship and service to Maine communities.”