HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii has conferred the honorary title of president emeritus on David McClain, its outgoing president.

McClain was given the honorific at the Board of Regents meeting last week. His last day in office is Friday.
The board chose former top University of California official M.R.C. Greenwood to take over on Aug. 20 to succeed McClain at the 10-campus system.
McClain became president in 2004 after the tumultuous end of Evan Dobelle’s tenure. He has been credited with stabilizing the system, even as it now faces cuts that could lead to faculty layoffs.
An economist, McClain is expected to return to teaching at the Shidler College of Business at UH’s Manoa campus.
There are no financial benefits associated with the emeritus title.