The United Negro College Fund on Monday named the president of Dillard University, a private historically black college in New Orleans, as its new president and chief executive officer.

Michael L. Lomax, 56, will succeed William H. Gray III, a former congressman who has led the organization for nearly 13 years, on June 1. The UNCF is the major fund raiser for 39 private historically black colleges and universities.

"He truly understands what it takes to keep these colleges going," said Michael H. Jordan, chairman of the group's Board of Directors, at a news conference here to announce the appointment.

Mr. Lomax's familiarity with historically black colleges -- and UNCF member colleges in particular -- was what made him an attractive candidate for the job, officials said. The Morehouse College graduate has been president of Dillard since 1997 and is a professor of literature there. He has also served as a faculty member at his alma mater and at Spelman College.

During his term as Dillard's president, Mr. Lomax led a $60-million campus renovation, and student enrollment increased about 49 percent, to more than 2,300 students. The university is in the middle of a capital campaign that it hopes will ultimately bring in $70-million.

"I'm a little concerned about walking away with that going on," Mr. Lomax said, "but I'm going to do as much as I can before I leave."

Dillard will quickly name an acting president and begin a national search for his replacement, Mr. Lomax said.

Mr. Gray announced his retirement last fall, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family and focus more on the Philadelphia church where he has served as senior pastor for 31 years. He will work alongside Mr. Lomax for the next four months to ensure a smooth transition.

Mr. Lomax said he intended to be "a quick study."