University of Redlands President James R. Appleton will end his 18-year tenure at the end of this school year, he announced this week.

When a replacement is found, Appleton will become the university's chancellor, a new position focused on fund raising and other tasks.

"It would be very difficult for me to leave the University of Redlands. I'm glad I don't have to,' Appleton said Tuesday.

Appleton wanted to give the new president a year to settle into the job before the university's 100th anniversary celebration in 2006.

As chancellor, Appleton will continue to focus on the $100million fund-raising effort linked to that anniversary. So far, the university has about $65.5million in gift commitments.

The Board of Trustees will appoint a presidential search committee to be chaired by trustee Jess Senecal. Senecal also chaired the search committee that brought Appleton to the university in 1987. "I've been on that board since 1970. Recruiting and hiring him was probably the largest single accomplishment I've made (on the board),' said Senecal, a member of the class of 1952.

In 1987, Appleton beat more than 200 applicants to become the university's eighth president. Before coming to Redlands, he spent 15 years as a vice president at the USC.

Many give Appleton credit for transforming the university into one of the top Western liberal arts colleges.

When Appleton started at the University of Redlands, its total endowment was $24 million and private gift support totaled $3 million.

Today, the endowment exceeds $107 million. The $14 million in private gift support last year was a university record.

"Even in things like fund raising, his priority has always been the academic health of the institution,' said Ed Wingenbach, chairman of the university's Academic Assembly. "He raised money so the faculty can do their work and students can learn.'

The endowment isn't the only thing that grew during Appleton's tenure.

The university invested more than $140 million into campus buildings and technology infrastructure, opened the School of Business and the School of Education, and tripled enrollment.

"The groundwork seems to be here to create a really dynamic and vibrant intellectual community,' Wingenbach said.

Appleton's visibility on campus impressed students, said Sherry Manning, president of the university's Associated Students.

"Most presidents probably don't eat in the cafeteria with students,' Manning said.

The next president "will have huge shoes to fill,' she said.

The search committee will meet next week to develop a search profile. Appleton will remain in office until his successor is in place. The board hopes to appoint a new president by June 30.