RENO, Nev. (AP) — Former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has been named president of the University of Nevada, Reno.

University regents voted Thursday to hire the former two-term Republican governor, U.S. District Court judge and MGM Resorts International executive to begin Oct. 5 with a four-year contract.

Sandoval becomes the 17th president since the university was founded in October 1874, and its first Hispanic chief executive.

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a statement congratulating his predecessor and friend and calling him the ideal person and leader to guide the university's future.