The Idaho State Board of Education announced Wednesday that Donald L. Burnett Jr., will serve as interim president of the University of Idaho.

Burnett will lead the university while a search committee seeks a permanent replacement for President Duane Nellis who is leaving to accept the president's position at Texas Tech University.

"Don has been an outstanding dean of the UI's College of Law, and we are confident he is the right person to lead the institution during this period of transition," said Ken Edmunds, president of the State Board of Education. "The board appreciates Don's willingness to take on the responsibilities of interim president, and we look forward to working with him over the next few months."

Burnett's career has encompassed service as an appellate judge, practicing lawyer, JAG officer, state bar president, law professor, and dean of two law schools. He earned a baccalaureate degree in economics from Harvard, a J.D. degree from the University of Chicago, and an LL.M. degree from the University of Virginia. Before becoming dean of UI's College of Law, Burnett was dean of the University of Louisville's law school.