Diana Robertson, associate director of student housing, has been named interim director to replace Ken Stoner, who is departing next month to take a new post at the University of Tennessee, Vice Provost for Student Success Marlesa Roney has announced.

Robertson, who has been associate director since 1999, will serve as interim while the university conducts a national search for a permanent director. Details about the search will be announced at a later date.

About 5,000 students reside in KU's Student Housing facilities, including eight residence halls, 11 scholarship halls, Jayhawker Towers single-student apartment housing and the Sunflower/Stouffer Place Apartments complexes designed to house students with children and/or students who are married.

"We wish Ken the very best as he accepts this new opportunity at Tennessee. He has done extraordinary work here at KU Êand is a national leader in student housing. Thanks to Ken and his staff, KU is able to offer its students outstanding housing facilities and popular options like scholarship halls and residence hall suites," said Roney. "The spectacular renovation of Hashinger Hall now in progress reflects Ken's devotion to developing the type of communities that encourage scholarship and creativity in addition to providing a safe and secure home away from home."

Stoner, a Garden City native, was named director of KU student housing in 1985 replacing 33-year veteran J.J. Wilson.

Stoner was associate director of housing at Tennessee before coming to KU. He is returning to Tennessee, where he also earned a doctoral degree in educational administration , as its new Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Executive Director of Housing.

"We are so pleased to have such a capable professional as Diana to serve as interim director. She has worked closely with Ken for several years and has the respect and support of the staff to guide the department during the next year," Roney said.

Before coming to KU, Robertson was an assistant housing director at North Carolina State University. She also previously worked in Kansas State University's housing and dining services department and began her career as a residence hall director and a resident advisor at several universities.

A Keokuk, Iowa native, Robertson earned a doctoral degree in student counseling and personnel services at Kansas State, a master's degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. and a bachelor's degree at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. She received the Annuit Coeptis Emerging Professional Award and the Burns Crookston doctoral research award from the American College Personnel Association.