The University of Wisconsin named Robert Golden, the vice dean of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, as the new dean of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Monday.

Golden will assume his new position in July and will be accompanied to the School of Medicine by his wife, Shannon Kenney, an infectious disease specialist who was also named to the school's faculty yesterday.

In a phone interview Monday, Golden said he felt "exhilarated" to have the opportunity to come to UW.

"The School of Medicine is really poised to become the leading school of medicine and public health in the country," Golden said, citing a "stellar group of faculty" and a recently increased endowment as reasons he believed the school could become the "top" school in the nation.

Golden added that among his goals for UW was continuing to expand the School of Medicine's rapidly growing infectious disease center and maintain the school's important role in the state, not just within the university.

"It's not just a school for the university, but also for the state of Wisconsin," Golden said.

Golden spent more than 20 years at UNC and will succeed departing UW School of Medicine Dean Phillip Farrell, who stepped down in December 2005.

Golden's wife, Kenney, was a researcher and professor of medicine microbiology and immunology at UNC, focusing her research on the Epstein-Barr virus.

According to Kenney, the Epstein-Barr virus is common in mononucleosis. She is currently studying how the virus contributes to human cancer.

Kenney and Golden said they considered coming to UW in 1985, but when Golden could not find an open position, they went to UNC instead.

"I always remembered my visit from that time," said Kenney, who applied to be an infectious disease fellow at UW. "A faculty member drove me around Lake Mendota and it was one of the most beautiful places I've seen."

Both Golden and Kenney said that leaving Chapel Hill, N.C., would be difficult, but their family is slowly adjusting.

Despite being a diehard UNC basketball fan, Kenney said their 15-year-old son, Sean, is slowly turning to the cardinal and white.

"He's already wearing a red UW T-shirt around school," Kenney said, adding Sean is excited about UW having a "much better" football team. "He's really looking forward to going to football games with his dad."

Sean is not the only son getting excited for the move, though. Kenney said her 7-year-old son, Max, is excited about moving into a house with another 7-year-old living right next door.

"We always said it would take an extraordinary set of opportunities to leave this town and this university," Golden said. "And this is a dream opportunity."