DISTRICT BRIEFING

EDUCATION

Ex-Deputy Mayor Named Acting UDC Chief

The University of the District of Columbia announced yesterday that it has named Stanley Jackson, the senior vice president of operations, as acting president while a committee conducts a national search for a president.

Jackson, a former deputy D.C. mayor who joined the UDC administration this year, has been running the daily operations of the District's only public institution of higher education since President William L. Pollard was forced to resign in June. The board of trustees had become disillusioned with him after five years.

"The Board feels significant attention needs to be given to enhanced operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility and more effective use of personnel, a mission also reflected in the $500,000 operational audit" included in the fiscal 2008 budget, the school said in a statement.

A presidential search committee was also named yesterday. It will be headed by trustee Donald N. Langenberg, a former chancellor of the University System of Maryland. It includes trustees, administrators, faculty and students.

-- Valerie Strauss

Hit-AND-RUN ACCIDENT

Public's Help Sought in Search for Motorist

D.C. police are seeking the public's help in finding the motorist who drove off after fatally striking an 84-year-old woman early Sunday in Northwest Washington.

Mary Gaegler was discovered at 5:20 a.m. in the 5400 block of Connecticut Avenue in an alley behind the building where she lived. Gaegler, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, did not show any signs of life when authorities found her, police said.

Cmdr. Andy Solberg said a person driving a truck or another large vehicle might have unknowingly hit her. Police ask anyone who has information about the case or was in the alley between 2 and 5 a.m. to contact police at 202-727-9099.

-- Allison Klein