WILLIAM L. 'BILL' PROCTOR Photo by Mark Foley, Fla. House of Representatives

Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell has announced the appointment of Dr. William L. "Bill" Proctor of St. Augustine, Fla., as special assistant to the president for athletics—a newly created, temporary position.

The new position was created to provide for Proctor's timely and smooth transition into the role of interim athletics director upon the departure of Dave Hart, Jr., FSU's current athletics director. In a separation agreement, Hart and the university agreed that his employment as athletics director will end on Dec. 31, 2007.

Proctor will begin working with FSU on Nov. 5. Under his agreement with Wetherell and the university, Proctor will not be considered a candidate for the permanent athletics director position.

"I look forward to serving President Wetherell and my alma mater in this important role," said Proctor, who earned three degrees at Florida State University—a bachelor's degree in education and master's and doctoral degrees in education administration.

Having worked in higher education for more than 40 years, Proctor served 30 of those years as president of Flagler College and is now chancellor of the college, a position he will retain while fulfilling the temporary role at FSU.

"Bill Proctor is the perfect person for this assignment, based upon his strong financial management skills and his impeccable academic credentials," Wetherell said. "His leadership will be invaluable as we work through athletics-academic issues with the NCAA."

Proctor served on the Florida Education Standards Commission from 1995 to 2000 and on the state's Board of Education from 2001 to 2004.

He received the Commissioner of Education's Lifetime Education Leadership Award in 2001 and the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities' Distinguished Service Award in 2002. He also was honored with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida's Liberty Bell Award in 2003. In addition, he has received honorary doctorates from Nova Southeastern University and Flagler College.

Proctor also is the current vice chairman of the FSU Athletics Committee and chairman of its Executive Committee. He also assisted FSU in its NCAA Recertification project this past year, serving on the Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance Subcommittee.

Wetherell said Proctor is a widely respected educator who will provide strong and steady direction while the university undertakes a national search for its next director of athletics.

"It has often been said that if you want something done right, give it to the busiest person in town," Wetherell said. "Bill's experience as a coach, teacher, administrator and longtime leader within higher education is just what we need now. His strong connection to this university and its continuing quest for the very best in athletics will ensure a professional and successful transition to a new athletics director."

In 1988, Proctor was inducted into the Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame, and in 1989 he received the FSU College of Education's Distinguished Educator Award.

Proctor also serves in the state House of Representatives. First elected to the House in 2004 and subsequently re-elected, he chairs the Committee on Tourism & Trade as well as the Select Committee to Protect Personal Information. He also serves on the Committee on Postsecondary Education and on the Schools & Learning Council, as well as the Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council.