After failing to land a spot at another school — and after months of speculation by faculty members that she was being forced out of her job — Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) President Cheryl Norton announced she is retiring.
Following is the text of an email Norton (pictured in a file photo with Gateway President Dorsey Kendrick) sent Thursday to the SCSU community:
From: “Patrick J. Dilger”
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:01:04 ‑0500
To:
Subject: Message from President Norton
Dear Colleagues,
After much thought and deliberation, I have come to the decision that for both personal and professional reasons it is time for me to move on from Southern Connecticut State University. I have informed Chancellor Carter and the CSUS Board of Trustees that I will be retiring as President of the university effective May 31, 2011. I will also be requesting that the Board of Trustees approve an administrative sabbatical for me beginning June 1, 2010. This request will allow me to engage in research on K‑12 education reform, an area in which I have a strong personal interest.
It has been a privilege for me to be president of Southern for almost six years now. The excellence of our faculty, the professionalism of our staff and the vibrancy of our students make this a university to be proud of. I have learned much from our campus community, and I believe that together we have helped Southern make great strides as an institution. Our building program has revitalized our campus, our full-time enrollment has reached record levels and, thanks to innovative offerings such as the First-Year Experience Program, we are truly “student-centered.”
Soon after I arrived on campus in 2004, I said that this university was “strong in its roots and rich in its history, with unlimited potential for the future.” I know that with your talents, your energy and your creative thinking, Southern will continue to move forward and realize its potential to become a premier institution of higher learning.
Thank you for your many contributions, and my very best to all of you in your ongoing endeavors to help our students realize their educational and personal dreams. I have been truly honored to serve with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cheryl J. Norton
President