Wheeling, W.Va. (AP) -- Sister Francis Marie Thrailkill has been named as interim president of Wheeling Jesuit University.

Thrailkill replaces J. Davitt McAteer, who has served as interim president since former president Julio Giulietti was fired on Aug. 6.

Wheeling Jesuit said Thursday that Thrailkill will serve as interim president for about 18 months.

She will be the university's first female leader.

The school suspended its search for a permanent president in October, saying it needed more time to find the right leader.

Thrailkill had served as president of the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati from 1987 to 2008, and as interim president of Chatfield College in Cincinnati from 2008 to 2009.

(Copyright 2010 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)