A big announcement on the UK campus Wednesday afternoon from Dr. Lee Todd.

Dr. Todd announced he will be retiring as president of the university, effective June 30, 2011.

That will mark the end of his tenth year as president.

UK Trustee Billy Joe Miles, the interim chairman of the board, told the Associated Press that Todd told him last week he would resign.

Miles said he tried to talk Todd out of it.

Todd has been UK president since 2001.

Todd said it's been an honor to serve as UK's president, but he feels it's the right time to retire.

Over the past nearly 10 years he has held the position, Todd says the university has accomplished quite a bit, from increasing in size, to setting research records, to the athletics department.

Todd also says he'd like to see more improvements.

His plans for the future include involvement in economic development, sitting down with legislators to improve higher education, and maybe even take some time to relax.

"This has been a 24-7 job, a full time job," Dr. Todd said. "Every day you can't get away from it, don't really want to. But I feel a great sense of accomplishment because of the people in this place."

Todd's wife and son were on hand for the announcement, along with many other people who have helped him accomplish his goals over the years.

Todd says he hopes the person who fills his position will continue to help change the face of Kentucky as he has always tried to do.