Gator Nation received stunning news Friday as Bernie Machen announced his plans to resign as president of UF.

Machen's term ends in July 2013, but he said he will stay until the Board of Trustees finds a replacement.

Machen has been with the university for eight years.

Under him, UF more than doubled its endowment and improved the student/faculty ratio despite state budget cuts.

Machen said he plans to remain at the  university as a profesor once he leaves office.

The search for a new president will begin this summer.