William McRaven Picked as Next University of Texas System Chancellor

Navy Adm. William McRaven, the retiring Special Operations Command chief, has been picked to head the University of Texas System by the school’s board of regents.

The governing body approved McRaven’s candidacy by unanimous vote at a special meeting held earlier this week, UT said Tuesday.

“We are honored to announce Adm. McRaven as our sole finalist for the next chancellor of The University of Texas System,” said Paul Foster, board of regents chairman at UT.

“The health and economic vitality of our state and country are dependent upon the strength and innovation of our public universities, and we believe we have found the best person to lead these efforts,” he added.

McRaven, who graduated from the College of Communication at UT Austin in 1977, will replace Francisco Cigarroa, who took on the chancellorship in 2008.

He is a Navy SEAL, served 37 years in the military’s special operations community and has a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.