Stephen Wells at the 2018 New Mexico Tech commencement. Wells has resigned from his position as university president. File photo.

New Mexico Tech’s Board of Regents accepted university President Stephen Wells resignation Friday. Former university President Daniel López will serve as interim president.

The resignation was attributed to health issues.

“The Regents, along with faculty, staff, and students, extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Wells and his spouse, Beth, for their almost seven years of service to New Mexico Tech and wish them the best in their future endeavors,” said Board of Regents President Jerry Armijo in a statement released Monday.

Wells was the 17th university president and his term began in 2016. His contract was extended in 2020 for a second five-year term beginning in 2021 and set to run through 2026.

López served as Tech President from 1993 through 2016 and was the university’s chief lobbyist in Santa Fe during his tenure. López has been appointed to serve as interim president through the end of 2023 or until a permanent replacement is appointed.

The regents will convene a search committee to select the next president. The search committee will include faculty, staff, students, community members and other stakeholders.

“New Mexico Tech pledges to keep a firm focus on its mission to be a pre-eminent community of scholars dedicated to research, education, and innovation – advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” Armijo’s statement said.

Chieftain Staff Report