Ala. Chancellor Byrne resigns, Joan Davis named interim chancellor.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama two-year college Chancellor Bradley Byrne left the head post of the department the same way he had joined it two years earlier: abruptly.

Byrne, who earlier announced that he was resigning effective Aug. 31, instead asked the state Board of Education to accept his resignation and make it effective by the close of business May 25, a day after he announced a Republican campaign for governor.

Board members named general counsel and vice chancellor of legal affairs Joan Davis as his temporary replacement while a search for a permanent chancellor is undertaken.

The 54-year-old Byrne was elected to the state Senate in 2002 but left the Legislature on short notice in May 2007 to become chancellor at the request of Gov. Bob Riley. After receiving accolades from board members, including Riley, Byrne looked to hurry things along to avoid an emotional departure.

"Let's go before I start crying," he said as the crowd laughed and moments later rose to send him off with an ovation.

"It's not unlike the way I felt two years ago," Byrne said following his final school board meeting as chancellor. "This has some of that same feeling--you go through a major decision rather quickly and then you're moving on to other things just as quickly. I am grateful for the opportunity."

The Fairhope lawyer backed new policies to guard against the nepotism and corruption scandals that had rocked the system before he took over. He is running for governor as a "conservative reformer."

He was hired two years ago after a whirlwind series of events starting with an interim chancellor's sudden resignation. The board had an informal work session the next day to discuss a search for a permanent chancellor, and Riley submitted Byrne's name for the job. The next day, the board voted 8-1 to make him chancellor.

The board passed a resolution saying the current vacancy will be posted for at least 30 days and a national search for a new chancellor will be done.

"We think it is very encouraging that anyone who would like to apply for the position will have that opportunity," Alabama Education Association assistant executive secretary Mary Bruce Ogles said. "The decision was made behind closed doors last time and they need to look at all the possibilities."

Riley, who by office serves as chairman of the board, said five people have called him to express their interest in the chancellor position. He said he encouraged all of them to apply and believes a new leader can be found in 90 days.