Morgan Academy has hired its new headmaster.

Mark Knight, current principal of Jemison Middle School, was introduced to the Morgan Academy students and faculty during an assembly at Morgan on Friday. Knight’s first day will be June 1. He will replace Pete Williamson, who resigned March 16 due to medical reasons.

Morgan Academy board chairman Naomi Oslund said there were many applicants, but she was pleased Knight’s leadership qualities and the fact that Knight has 26 years of school administration experience.

“We had many applicants and we went through the interview process with them and decided that he was the best qualified candidate to serve as the headmaster,” Oslund said.

Knight has been employed by Jemison Middle School for the past 15 years. He spent five years as assistant principal and 10 years as principal.

He plans to be on Morgan’s campus often during the month of May.

Oslund said the students are excited to have someone who is available and approachable and someone capable of leading the school in a new direction.

“We’re just really excited about having Mr. Knight be a part of our school and part of the new vision and we’re just so happy with his background and the leadership he’ll provide and the guidance he’ll provide for our school as we go into the next academic year,” Oslund said.

Knight was out of town and unable to comment on his new position Tuesday.

Now that Morgan has hired a new headmaster, the next step is hiring an athletic director. Morgan athletic director Jake Wingo accepted a job as a coach at a public high school in Alabama on March 24.

“We have the headmaster in place, now we are moving to solidify someone to take that position,” Oslund said.