Southwestern University President Edward Burger announced Sept. 4 that he would step down as president of the university to be CEO of St. David's Foundation.

Southwestern trustee Dale Knobel, president emeritus of Denison University and former provost at Southwestern, will serve as interim president, the announcement said.

The move is effective in January, the announcement said.

"While we are saddened by Dr. Burger’s departure, we celebrate all that Southwestern has accomplished under his visionary, dynamic, and thoughtful leadership over the last six years and wish him the very best in his new role," Stephen Tipps, Southwestern University chair of the board of trustees, said in the announcement.

A search committee will hold its first meeting in early fall with the goal of having a new president no later than July 1, the announcement said.

Earl Maxwell, current St. David’s Foundation CEO, will step down in December 2019.