A five-month search by the Board of Regents ended with the appointment of Thomas Wallace as the new president of Illinois State University.

Wallace, chancellor of Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne, said it was “indeed an honor to be selected.”

Wallace will replace outgoing President Lloyd Watkins this fall. Watkins resigned Jan. 14 due to frustration concerning funding for higher education.

Believing he was “too new” to Illinois politics, Wallace said he could not yet support a proposed tax increase to help fund higher education.

In addition, Wallace said he appreciated the Regents’ confidence and said he looked forward to his new duties as president.