PROVO — Brigham Young University President Cecil O. Samuelson announced Friday the appointment of Kevin J Worthen as advancement vice president of the university, replacing K. Fred Skousen, who is retiring.

Currently Worthen serves as dean of the university's J. Reuben Clark Law school. James D. Gordon III, an associate dean and the Marion B. and Rulon A. Earl Professor of Law, will become interim dean of the school.

"Kevin's broad experience suits him well for this position," Samuelson said in a statement. "As a professor of law, he served as BYU's faculty athletic representative to the NCAA for four years. During his tenure as dean, Kevin also has been involved in alumni and external relations, as well as fundraising efforts for the law school and the university."

Included in Worthen's new position as advancement vice president will be the oversight of the athletic department, alumni and external relations, philanthropies and university communications. The transition will take place over the summer with Worthen assuming the position in full come fall.

"Kevin has been an exemplary university citizen, participating on numerous university committees, including serving as chair of the University Athletic Advisory Council from 1992 to 2000," Samuelson said.

In addition to his position as vice president, Skousen, who spent 38 years at BYU, served as dean of the Marriott School of Management and as director of the School of Accountancy.

Worthen, a Carbon County native, earned an associate degree from the College of Eastern Utah, where he co-captained the varsity basketball team. He later earned his bachelor's and law degrees from BYU. Worthen is a former Fulbright scholar and clerked for Justice Byron R. White of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Malcolm R. Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the D.C. Circuit Court. He also worked as an associate attorney for Jennings, Strouss & Salmon in Phoenix.