West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin yesterday tapped a renowned scientist and retired college administrator to serve on the West Virginia University board of governors as the state's flagship institution recovers from an academic scandal involving the governor's daughter.

Mr. Manchin said he intends to nominate retired Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Charles M. Vest to a four-year term beginning July 1.

Dr. Vest, 66, is a Morgantown native, WVU alumnus and president of the National Academy of Engineering, and was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President Bush in 2006. He served as MIT president from 1990 to 2004.

The governor must fill two other vacancies on the 16-member board after June 30, when the terms of three current members expire. Attorneys Robert Wells and Stephen Farmer, two current members who could serve second terms, have asked not to be reappointed. The third board member, former Bethlehem Steel Chairman Curtis Barnette, is not eligible for another term.

"Dr. Vest is a world-renowned leader, scholar, researcher and teacher who will bring a tremendous amount of insight and experience to the board's efforts," Mr. Manchin said.

Dr. Vest was out of the country and could not be reached for comment.

The announcement comes nearly three weeks after WVU President Mike Garrison said he would step down as president Sept. 1. Faculty, students, alumni and donors had called for his resignation in the wake of an investigative panel's decision that the university awarded an M.B.A. degree to Mylan Inc. executive Heather Bresch that she did not earn.

Ms. Bresch is Mr. Manchin's daughter and a longtime friend of Mr. Garrison, who reported to Ms. Bresch as a one-time lobbyist for Mylan. The Cecil-based generic drug maker's chairman, Milan Puskar, is WVU's biggest benefactor.

Board of governors Chairman Steve Goodwin said Dr. Vest's ties to the university and national higher education circles "make him eminently qualified to help us to continue to govern the university during an important time of decision making."

The board must select an interim president as well as oversee a national search for a permanent replacement for Mr. Garrison, who was selected last year over the objections of faculty members.

The leader of a grass-roots group that pushed for Mr. Garrison's ouster and is seeking a greater voice in how WVU's next president is selected was impressed with the appointment of Dr. Vest.

"I think it's a great choice. I don't know him, but everything I've read says he would be a wonderful candidate," said WVU physics professor Boyd Edwards, chairman of Mountaineers for Integrity and Responsibility.

Five other university officials have resigned or been reassigned in the wake of the degree scandal. Late Tuesday, Mr. Garrison's chief of staff, Craig Walker, announced he would resign when Mr. Garrison steps down Sept. 1. Mr. Walker, who earns $177,500, did not say what his future plans were, other than he would assist the interim president if asked.

Provost Gerald Lang and business school Dean R. Stephen Sears will resign their posts June 30, although both plan to continue teaching at the school. Vice President of Legal Affairs Alex Macia, Mr. Garrison's top attorney, lost his title of general counsel and Bill Case, Mr. Garrison's communications director, was reassigned to WVU's Health Sciences Center.

Mr. Garrison has said the matter of Ms. Bresch's falsified transcript has been referred to WVU's Office of Academic Integrity.