Dennis Hefner speaks at his retirement ceremony in May 2012.

A familiar face will be returning to lead the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Beginning on July 1, Dr. Dennis Hefner will be the interim president of the university, the SUNY Board of Trustees announced this afternoon. Hefner, who retired in 2012, has a distinguished record of service at SUNY, including as former president of SUNY Fredonia and interim president at SUNY Potsdam.

Under his leadership, SUNY Fredonia expanded enrollment by 20 percent, improved SAT scores by nearly 90 points, successfully completed two capital campaigns, brought external grant funding to an all-time high, and implemented New York’s first four-year graduation guarantee program.

Besides leading the institution, Hefner was involved in a number of community and county organizations and also was a catalyst in the building of the SUNY Fredonia incubator on Central Avenue in Dunkirk.

He received his doctorate and master of arts in economics from Washington State University, and a bachelor of arts in economics from California State University, Chico.

Outgoing Preident Virginia Horvath announced her retirement from the university in April.