DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — Fort Lewis College in Durango has named its next president.

The Durango Herald reports Tom Stritikus, deputy director of K-12 Education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will take over Aug. 1 for President Dene Thomas, who will delay her retirement a month until July 31 to accommodate Stritikus' starting date.

Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Short says Stritikus' interest in Fort Lewis and his experiences allow him to address the challenges facing the college in a timely fashion.

Stritikus will earn $310,000 per year, a 19 percent increase from Thomas' salary. In addition, he will be given $20,000 annually in deferred compensation as a retirement package and the use of a car for business purposes.

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Information from: Durango Herald, http://www.durangoherald.com