U. of Southern California Names Provost as Next President

C.L. Max Nikias, provost of the University of Southern California, will become the Los Angeles college’s next president, officials announced today. Mr. Nikias, who will take office in August, had been seen as a favorite to replace the exceedingly popular Steven B. Sample, who has transformed the university in his nearly two decades as president. Mr. Nikias will face the challenges of replacing a living icon and sustaining the university’s rapid ascent into the top academic ranks.