West Virginia University professor Roy Nutter, who has expressed doubt that anything was done wrong, yesterday was appointed chairman of the panel assigned to investigate an M.B.A. degree granted retroactively to Mylan Inc. executive Heather Bresch.

The appointment, by WVU Provost Gerald E. Lang, follows the resignation Tuesday of former panel chairman Bruce Flack, a high-ranking executive with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Mr. Flack said he withdrew from the post out of respect for the wishes of the WVU faculty senate, which on Monday recommended his removal because of the policy commission's ties to Gov. Joe Manchin, Ms. Bresch's father.

The faculty senate also recommended the appointment of three additional panelists who are not affiliated with the school or state government. Mr. Lang, who selected Mr. Flack, Mr. Nutter and WVU professor Michael Lastinger for the panel, said he would accept the senate's recommendations to add three people.

The panel is charged with reviewing Mr. Lang's and the university's actions in awarding the M.B.A. in October and determining whether Ms. Bresch actually finished the degree. Ms. Bresch contends she earned the degree in December 1998.

The panel was formed in response to public concern after a Dec. 21 story by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that raised questions about how the university went about granting the degree even though university records showed Ms. Bresch had completed only about half of the credits required.

Mr. Nutter, who before being named to the investigative panel told the Charleston Daily Mail newspaper that he did not believe the Post-Gazette's story, said yesterday he will "set that statement aside."

"I want real evidence now and I have the opportunity to find it,'' he said.

Many of Mr. Nutter's colleagues have expressed confidence in the longtime faculty member, saying the computer engineering professor and former faculty senate chair will do the right thing.

Mr. Nutter said he and Mr. Lastinger would continue to collect data while they wait for the senate to appoint three additional panelists.

Faculty senate Chairman Steve Kite said Tuesday the earliest he foresees that happening is Jan. 28.

Expenses for travel, food and lodging for the outside panel members will be covered by the provost's office, Mr. Lang said.