Tuesday, June 4, 2013

And to go out not with a bang, but a whimper

After three years as president of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Dr. Joseph Urgo has decided, for personal and professional reasons, to move on in his career.  He has requested that the Board of Trustees not renew his contract.  “I leave with mixed emotions because I have enjoyed my time so much at St. Mary’s College,” said Dr. Urgo.  “Leading St. Mary’s College for the past three years has been a tremendous privilege and a great pleasure.   The College’s legislative charge of high academic standards and financial accessibility, while challenging, is an inspirational mission.  In parting, I wish my friends and the good people of St. Mary’s the very best. ”
 During Dr. Urgo’s three years in office, the College endowment grew by nearly 30%  and the College received two $1M gifts earmarked for need-based financial aid, and an additional $1M gift for academic programs.  The College received additional state support through legislation that will fund a two-year tuition freeze and secured a performance-based funding project aimed at raising College retention and graduation rates. In all, the legislation amounts to a 14% increase in state funding for the College and the first legislated increase to the block grant since that method of funding was established in 1992.
Throughout his tenure as president, Urgo has supported broad access to education in the liberal arts and sciences, speaking and writing often on St. Mary’s public mission.   Joe and Lesley Urgo have been strong advocates for the natural beauty of the campus and under Lesley’s volunteer efforts, established the College Arboretum.
The Board is grateful for Dr. Urgo’s commitment to St. Mary’s College of Maryland and his advocacy for liberal arts education.  The Board wishes Dr. Urgo well in his future endeavors

9 comments:

  1. Still waiting on Pat, and rumor has it others may also be departing...

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    1. It will be interesting to see who survives the Red Wedding

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  2. Gon miss dem fancy emails about not parking on grass.

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  3. I love how the wording didn't say what he *specifically* brought to the college/ established on campus but waxed poetic about his thoughts & feelings (and the Arboretum.)

    Y'all, they would've fired him if he didn't beat them to it by deciding to "move on" (if that's what actually happened.)

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  4. He was asked to resign. At first he resisted, but apparently he eventually figured out it would be better than the public record showing that his contract wasn't renewed.

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  5. Wait, is this plagiarism?!?!

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  6. There is now a petition for bringing back Rich Edgar.
    http://chn.ge/11ncEHq

    Hopefully it'll have more impact than the last one...

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