Sept. 11 Panel Chief to Retire from Drew U.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The chairman of the Sept. 11 commission (search), former New Jersey Gov. Thomas H. Kean (search), will retire as president of Drew University in the spring, the school announced Thursday. Kean will have spent 15 years at the liberal arts school in Madison.
Kean, who was governor from 1982-90, had been mentioned in recent days as a possible Republican candidate should a special election be held to fill the unexpired term of Gov. James E. McGreevey (search).
Kean, 69, said Tuesday he is not interested in running, and Drew spokesman Tom Harris said nothing has changed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Let's just say he's not retiring to do anything specific," Harris said.
Kean headed the investigation into the 2001 terrorist attacks and wants the commission's recommendations for revamping the nation's intelligence gathering to stay in the spotlight, commission spokesman Jonathan Stull said.
Kean was out of state on vacation Thursday and unavailable for comment, Harris said.