Robertson to resign as head of Regent U.

HAMPTON ROADS, Va., April 29 (UPI) -- Evangelist Pat Robertson announced Wednesday that he will retire next year as president of Regent University in Virginia, which he founded in 1978.

Robertson, who became the university's sixth president in 2000, said he will step down July 1, 2010. He will remain associated with the university as chancellor and trustee.

Regent had 77 students and seven on the faculty when it opened. More than 4,500 students are currently enrolled.

"Serving as Regent University's president has been an honor and a joy," Robertson says. "The accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni are truly remarkable and I am so delighted by the achievements of our rapidly growing school."

Regent has positioned itself as a school that is academically serious while dedicated to a Christian mission. Its alumni have won honors including four awarded Fulbright scholarships.

The school became peripherally embroiled in the scandal over the political firing of U.S. attorneys by the Bush Justice Department. Monica Goodling, who received her law degree from Regent, was tied to the firings by e-mails.