A former congressman has been named the new president of Gordon College in middle Georgia.

The state Board of Regents announced Wednesday that Max Burns will take the position Jan. 1. Located in Barnesville, Gordon College has an enrollment of more than 5,000 students.

Burns was elected in 2002 as a Republican congressman from eastern Georgia's 12th District. He lost his 2004 re-election bid to Democrat John Barrow, who still holds the seat.

Since 2008, Burns has served as dean of the business school at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega.

At Gordon College, Burns will succeed Shelley Nickel, who has been in the job on an interim basis since the summer of 2010 following the retirement of college president Lawrence Weill.

Tags: Max Burns, Gordon College, Former Congressman