Warren W. Buck, who has been chancellor of the University of Washington, Bothell since 1999, has announced he will return to teaching and resign as chancellor, effective in June, at the end of Spring Quarter.

Buck, UW Bothell's first chancellor, holds a faculty appointment as professor of interdisciplinary arts and sciences, and adjunct professor of physics. He is a nationally known physicist for both his own research and for his mentoring of physics doctoral students, particularly students of color.

"Dr. Buck has guided the UW Bothell through an important growing phase of its continuing development in serving the higher education needs of North Puget Sound," said UW President Mark A. Emmert. "He has accomplished much over the past six years for the University and we are grateful for his service."

Founded in 1990, UW Bothell moved to its permanent location in autumn 2000. It is co-located with Cascadia Community College on 127 acres, 58 acres of which is a wetland laboratory. In the past six years, UW Bothell has created four new academic degree offerings. It currently offers upper division (junior and senior level) classes leading to a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies, business administration, nursing, environmental science and computer and software systems. It offers master's degrees in education, business administration, policy studies and nursing, as well as initial and professional certificate programs for K-8 teachers.

The school recently inaugurated its first international faculty and student exchange program, with Ehime University in Japan. The business program is one of the founding partners of the Bellevue Entrepreneur Center.

The autumn 2004 enrollment at UW Bothell was 1,608 students. UW Bothell has over 4,200 alumni and graduated 670 students in 2004.

President Emmert will be appointing a committee to assist in a national search for Buck's successor.