It only took two years, but now Cornelius Kerwin can finally drop the “acting” part of his title.

The Post is reporting that Kerwin, who took the helm of American University after petty cash-abuser extraordinaire Ben Ladner was forced to step down in 2005, will formally become the university’s next president. The Board of Trustees had been engaged in a search since January — former Mayor Anthony Williams was even floated as a possible nominee — but decided today to move Kerwin, formally a provost, up in the ranks. As of September 1, Kerwin will no longer simply be “acting” president, nor will he be the “acting” resident of the university’s presidential home in Northwest.

We’d like to extend our congratulations to Kerwin, even though university presidents in the area have a tendency to come and go rather quickly. Let’s hope he gets to experience all the trappings of being president, though those no longer include the $500,000 in personal expenses his predecessor enjoyed all too liberally.