Joan Gabel named next University of Minnesota president

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Board of Regents has named Joan Gabel the next president of the University of Minnesota. She will be the first woman in school history to hold the post. 

The regents unanimously confirmed Gabel at a special meeting Tuesday. She was the lone finalist for the position.  

Gabel is currently the provost at the University of South Carolina. She spent all of last week touring University of Minnesota campuses statewide. 

Gabel will take over for Eric Kaler, who is stepping down next summer. He has served as president of the University of Minnesota system since 2011.