Message to University Community from President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
Dear Members of the University Community,
The slower pace of summer, plus my annual retreat in late June, provided me time and space to review my five years as President, by discerning how I am doing personally and how I might best serve the University going forward.
After prayer and reflection that would make Father Ignatius happy, I concluded that both for the University and for me the time is right for a change. Earlier this month, therefore, I informed the Board of Trustees of my intention to step down as University President effective June 1, 2017, giving our trustees sufficient time to search prudently for a new president. Last Wednesday, the trustees formally accepted my resignation. Both the clarity and the timing of this decision are entirely mine.
In making this decision, I am filled with gratitude to the Scranton community—trustees, faculty, administrators, staff, parents, friends, alumni and students—for all that we have accomplished to advance our mission as a Jesuit and Catholic institution of higher education in the 21st century. In particular, I celebrate how we worked so well together as a campus community throughout the strategic planning process, and I am proud that The Scranton Plan: Engaged, Integrated, Global Student Experience will shape the University’s direction for years to come.
I have great hope and enthusiasm for our final year together. I will continue to serve energetically as your President during this transitional year. Among my priorities will be to provide ongoing direction in the furtherance of The Scranton Plan and the University’s Comprehensive Resource Review. Count on my full endorsement and leadership support for assessment on campus and preparation for the upcoming Middle States Review. Finally, I am working to secure sufficient philanthropic and other support to seek Board approval to begin construction on the Southside Athletics Campus in spring 2017.
With my decision to resign, the Board of Trustees will begin to share information with the campus community about the search process for a new President. In light of my decision, I have decided to stop searching for a new Provost because it is prudent to leave that job to my successor. To accommodate this decision, Joseph Dreisbach, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, has accepted my invitation to continue in that role for two years.
Especially in this time of transition, I encourage us to adopt the motto that inspired the life and work of St. Junipero Serra, Apostle of California: “¡Siempre adelante!” (“Always forward!”).
It remains an honor to serve as your President. Thank you for the last five years.
God bless you and God bless The University of Scranton!
Sincerely,
Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
President
