Associate Director of Recreation Services Mike Buck has taken on the responsibility as interim director of Recreation Services after Troy Vaughn announced his resignation, effective August 31.

Vaughn, an employee of Southeast Missouri State University for seven years, accepted a similar director position at SIU Carbondale.

"It's hard to leave, but we have accomplished so much as a staff," Vaughn said in the Recreation Services Newsletter.

Buck is a 1993 graduate of Southeast. He has worked for fitness and wellness services, a part of the Department of Recreation Services at Southeast, for more than 15 years. After completing his undergraduate and graduate work, he took the position of assistant director.

Buck has taken on the responsibility of two jobs since Vaughn's resignation. He not only handles scheduling, membership sales and daily operations, but he also manages the facilities, different programming and all budgetary needs. The length of his temporary new role is unknown.

"I love my job," Buck said. "I'm prepared to do this as long as it takes. I have a great staff, and they are all willing to help out wherever necessary."

Buck said that the next step in finding a new director starts with a nationwide search held by a committee formed by the university. The committee will look at different resumes in the hopes of finding someone with the right personality as well as experience in handling facilities, programming and budgeting. The committee has yet to be formed due Vaughn's sudden resignation.

Once the search begins, Buck plans to apply for the position as director.

"I've been here for approximately 15 years, so I feel as though I have been groomed to do that, " Buck said.