USF Lakeland switching leadership | News

TAMPA, Florida - Thanking him for a "difficult job done well," USF President Judy Genshaft told David Touchton he would no longer be in charge of the university's Lakeland/Polytechnic campus after June 30.

Touchton, who replaced embattled chancellor Marshall Goodman last December, holds the title "Interim Campus Executive Officer."  A prominent Lakeland accountant, Touchton was brought in to restore fiscal accountability to a campus that was criticized by administration for outrageous spending.

The USF Lakeland campus was previously known as USF Polytechnic before Governor Rick Scott signed legislation to create a separate Florida Polytechnic University.

Students at USF Lakeland will have the option to remain on-campus until they receive their degrees during a special "teach out," which will be lead regionally by Dr. Jathleen Moore, Associate Vice President for USF System Strategic Initiatives.

Previous Polytechnic Coverage:
6/22/12 - Construction continues after problems worked out
6/18/12 - JD Alexander's employee pulls out of trustee search after investigation
6/11/12 - Trustee hopefuls have questionable ties & lies
5/31/12 - Florida Poly gets booster club; JD Alexander gets gritty
5/23/12 - Board of Governors, USF negotiate Poly split
4/19/12 - Governor signs SB1994, creates Fla. Poly University
3/5/12 - USF deal struck, exclusive interview with Genshaft
2/28/12 - Genshaft told Poly accreditation will take 2-4 years
2/27/12 - Alexander actions have some asking why BOG exists
2/22/12 - JD Alexander: from USF cheerleader to USF critic
2/20/12 - College student warned of Alexander revenge
2/16/12 - Gov. Scott tells 10 News he's no fan of Poly bill
2/15/12 - Budget cuts live, but ''divorce settlement'' brokered
2/14/12 - 10 News leading charge to #SaveUSF
2/14/12 - USF fears "devastating" 58% budget cuts
2/8/12 - JD Alexander pushes "backdoor" for Poly independence
12/20/11 - Genshaft dismisses USF-Poly chancellor
11/10/11 - BOG grants USF-Poly eventual independence
11/7/11 - USF-Poly spends thousands on Star Wars statues
11/3/11 - JD Alexander's bully pulpit

Find 10 News Investigator Noah Pransky on Facebook or follow his updates on Twitter. Send your story tips to noah@wtsp.com.