University of Wisconsin-Superior will begin a search for new leadership this summer as a result of the current chancellor announcing Monday his retirement after 14 years of service to the university.

UW-Superior Chancellor Julius Erlenbach will officially retire Aug. 1, which marks exactly 14 years holding the chancellor position, UW-Superior spokesperson Al Miller said.

Erlenbach’s retirement as chancellor comes at a time of personal crossroads. Miller said his personal situation led him to believe this was the right time for stepping down.

Although his list of accomplishments during his time as chancellor is extensive, Erlenbach chose a few projects to emphasize as his legacy. The development of Swenson Hall, an on-campus academic building, will be the capstone of his career.

Erlenbach also focused on reconnecting with alumni of UW-Superior to build a strong development foundation for future endeavors.

Finally, Erlenbach said his most important accomplishment as chancellor was building a strong relationship between the student governance and the faculty on campus.

“For me, it is most important for the faculty and students of UW-Superior to have a solid relationship built in order to continue academic advancement. Without this dynamic, it is impossible to move forward,” Erlenbach said.

Erlenbach said he thought it was appropriate timing for a new leader to emerge as chancellor at UW-Superior.

“I feel very good about what has been accomplished during my time at UWS,” Erlenbach said. “And I realize that after 14 years here my time has been had.”

While Erlenbach has stepped down, current Provost Chris Markwood will fill in as interim chancellor if approved by the UW System Board of Regents, Miller said.

Miller said Markwood would be a perfect fit as interim chancellor.

“He has worked on many of the projects that Dr. Erlenbach has started on campus and can keep them running without missing much of a step,” Miller said.

Markwood would undertake and continue projects stemming into multiple areas on the UW-Superior campus.

Along with a number of small side initiatives Erlenbach started as chancellor, Markwood will continue the goal of refining UW-Superior’s academic tradition. The main goal of the institution is to complete work on Swenson Hall, which is due for completion in 2011.

Miller said Markwood’s previous involvement in these projects will prove invaluable as UW-Superior works toward continued academic success.

In the meantime, Erlenbach showed enormous confidence in Markwood. He said UW-Superior had recommended Markwood to the Board of Regents for review; however, he said he saw no way that Markwood would not be appointed interim chancellor.

Erlenbach remained confident in the fact that Markwood could keep the progress of UW-Superior growing at the rate it has been for the last 14 years.

Potential new candidates for the open chancellor position were unknown to Erlenbach, but he was confident UW-Superior faculty would nominate highly qualified choices.

“To be honest, I have no idea who could be a potential candidate, but I (am) just as excited as the rest of the campus to find out,” Erlenbach said.