University of Wisconsin, Green Bay announced that William Laatsch, a professor of Urban and Regional Studies at the University, will serve as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the university. Laatsch will fill the role vacated by Sue Hammersmith, who will assume the presidency of Metropolitan State University in Minnesota on July 1. Laatsch will oversee student services, information services and academic programs and will work closely with David Ward, interim chancellor. Ward will fill the chancellor position on June 23 to replace Bruce Shepard, who was recently named as president of Western Washington University. Laatsch joined the faculty at the two-year University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley in 1966. Laatsch serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Carroll College, his alma mater.