He stepped down as chancellor and returned to the faculty on September 1, 2008. From November 1, 2008, through November 2011, he served as interim director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
On September 1, 2008, he vacated his position as chancellor and returned to teaching duties. From November 1, 2008, until November 2011, he held an interim role as the director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.