BANGOR (AP) — The search for a new president for the University of Southern Maine has been launched.

University of Maine System trustees Chairman Samuel Collins and Chancellor James Page announced Sunday that a presidential search committee will be formed this summer.

The committee will search for a new president to replace Theo Kalikow.

Kalikow, who served as president of the University of Maine at Farmington for 18 years, came out of retirement to take over USM in 2012 after former president Selma Botman was reassigned after a faculty no-confidence vote.

Kalikow has a two-year contract with an option for a third.

The search is scheduled to begin early this fall and will run until a successful candidate is identified. Officials hope to fill the position by July 2015, possibly sooner.