Citing the birth of his first grandchild as a motivation, Central Michigan University President George Ross has announced his retirement after 13 years in leadership and eight as president.
“Serving as Central Michigan University’s 14th president these past eight years has been the most rewarding professional experience of my life,” Ross said in a letter to the CMU community released at noon Monday.
“All of us – students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, friends, and corporate and community partners – have joined together with compassion and dedication to create academic excellence. Our efforts have created the experiences that prepare CMU students for careers, life and leadership roles across the state, nation and world.”
Ross, 66, said his resignation is effective July 31.
“I have done much soul-searching about the right time to make this transition – the right time for CMU, which will forever hold a special place in my and Elizabeth’s hearts,” Ross said. “The decision came closer as I realized there is no perfect time for leadership change, because a vibrant, successful university always will be pursuing major initiatives.”
But the birth of a grandchild put things in focus.
“And then, just before Christmas, my first grandchild was born,” he said. “I suspect my mind was made up the moment he wrapped his tiny fingers around mine.”
Prior to assuming the CMU presidency, Ross served as president of Alcorn State University, founded in 1871 as the nation’s first public historically black land-grant university. Before that, he was vice president for finance and administrative services at Central Michigan University, executive vice president at Clark Atlanta University, executive vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and vice president for business affairs at Tuskegee University.
Formerly a practicing certified public accountant, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Michigan State University, a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama, and has completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard University.
CMU trustees have not yet discussed the search to replace Ross, and more information will be coming, said Sherry Knight, associate vice president for university communications.
In announcing his retirement, Ross listed numerous accomplishments under his tenure:
* We worked across all constituencies to design and adopt a strategic plan in 2012 and updated it in 2017, with imperatives to nurture student success, foster scholarly activity, and strengthen partnerships in Michigan and beyond.
* We formalized our commitment to shared governance and expanded communications.
* We increased the number of students receiving financial support – and the amount they receive – with an 87 percent increase in university-funded scholarships and financial aid. We also strategically managed our budget to put students first and had the lowest cumulative tuition increase among all Michigan public universities for the past eight years.
* We put strategic emphasis on enrollment management and student success after creating the Enrollment and Student Services division.
* We expanded the Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute and leadership experiences for all students, building their understanding of the unique impact they can have on others, regardless of title.
* We accelerated the growth of STEM, health care and business programs to meet student and employer demand, while embracing the liberal arts as vital for fulfillment in careers and life.
* We increased the number of online programs to serve students and employers.
* We launched the College of Medicine, graduated its first class last May, and achieved 100 percent residency placement for each of the first CMU-educated physicians.
* We opened the Biosciences Building in 2016, completing the largest construction project in CMU history.
* We built medical education facilities in Mount Pleasant and Saginaw, graduate student housing on campus, and a research facility on Denison Drive. We renovated and upgraded Anspach and Grawn halls and Park Library.
* We introduced the premier corporate partnerships program, starting last fall with Ford Motor Co. and Quicken Loans.
* We advanced pervasive branding through our bold maroon and gold and action C, with messaging that repeatedly conveys a personalized path to learning, real-world experiences, leadership opportunities and CMU’s strong sense of community.
“Together, we have tackled the tough work that many would have ignored,” Ross said. “It would have been easier to sit back and let others find solutions, but that is not who we are at CMU. It is my hope that these efforts have cemented the value of One CMU and of continuous evolution.”
Ross and his wife, Elizabeth, have two adult daughters, Roshaunda and Joronda.
