Marist College president to step down
Marist College President Dennis Murray announces he will leave his post in June 2016.
Marist College President Dennis J. Murray announced Saturday he will step down when his current contract expires on June 30, 2016.
A press release from the college said Murray, at the request of the college’s Board of Trustees, will stay on in role of president emeritus and as a professor of public policy.
“For the past 36 years, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as President, and during that time we have been able to accomplish extraordinary things,” Murray wrote in a message to the Marist community. “The College today is a strong institution with exciting plans for the future, and for that reason, it seems like a logical time for new leadership.”
In his message, Murray expressed his gratitude to the college and Hudson River Valley communities for helping to make Marist the “exceptional institution” it is today. He added his attention during the time remaining in his presidency will be on the job of leading the college.
Construction of a new science and allied health building and development of a new physician assistant program, as well as construction of new student housing, are among the projects currently going on at Marist.
Chair of the Board Ellen Hancock said in the press release, “In his nearly four decades as President, Dennis Murray has led a transformation of Marist College that is unprecedented in American higher education. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I salute him for his tremendous accomplishment in making Marist one of the finest institutions in the country.”
Hancock continued, “We are pleased that we will continue to have the benefit of Dennis’s talents, wisdom, and important relationships to help advance the interests of the College, even after he steps down as president. In the meantime, I know his focus as always will be on preparing Marist for a future of continued success, and I look forward to working with him toward that shared goal.”
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro also issued a statement praising Murray.
“Dr. Dennis Murray has led Marist College to become among America’s finest institutions for higher learning,” Molinaro said. “His commitment to excellence extends into every corner of our community. An academic, economic and community leader, Dennis Murray’s impact will be long lasting and Dutchess County is exceptionally grateful.
“I look forward to our continued work together as Dr. Murray completes his service as President of Marist College,” Molinaro added.
The Marist press release also said that, in the coming weeks, the Board of Trustees will provide details of the timing and organization of a search for Murray’s successor, according to the press release. Murray is the third president in Marist’s nearly 90-year history as a college.