LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ Joel Anderson, provost of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, was officially named the university’s new chancellor Thursday.

Anderson succeeds Charles E. Hathaway, who announced his retirement this summer after serving as chancellor for nine years. Anderson will take over as chancellor Jan. 1.

“I want to tell the business and civic leaders that UALR expects to play an enlarged role in advancing the prosperity of the region and state,” Anderson said in a written statement. “We treasure the Fortune 500 companies that are here and anticipate a stronger relationship with them, to our mutual advantage.”

University of Arkansas System president B. Alan Sugg recommended Anderson to the board Tuesday, and the board approved the recommendation Thursday.

Anderson has worked at UALR since 1971. He served as the chair of the political science department and dean of the graduate school before becoming provost, the school’s chief academic officer.

A Swifton native, Anderson earned a B.A. degree at Harding University in Searcy, a master’s degree from the University of Washington, and a doctorate from the University of Michigan.