A message from Lawrence Board of Trustees Chair Terry Franke
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are saddened that Jill Beck’s amazingly productive time as President of Lawrence University will be coming to an end in June, 2013. As Jill has said a number to times, it has been a wonderful ride together. We are confident that our great momentum will continue under Jill's leadership during the next 17 months. We are very grateful to Jill. We thank her for all her contributions and also for letting us know of her retirement plans well in advance so that the Lawrence Community can plan and execute our search for Lawrence’s 16th President.
Jill will be leaving Lawrence in a position of great strength. It is nothing short of phenomenal what we at Lawrence have accomplished during her Presidency, especially in light of the economic challenges of the last few years. She is a stellar fund raiser. We just completed More Light!, Lawrence's largest capital campaign, which exceeded our $150 Million goal by more than $10 million; we have a transformed physical plant in Appleton and Door County, with a vibrant campus anchored by our amazing Warch Campus Center; we have hit the ground running on our new five-year strategic plan; we have new academic and interdisciplinary initiatives, led by dedicated and strengthened faculty, that enhance student's education experience; we have a greatly expanded Career Center and programs that support students’ transition to life after Lawrence; and we have an increasingly bright, diverse, energetic, engaged and talented student body from around the world.
How did Jill accomplish so much? She fostered great collaboration and garnered enthusiasm among her cabinet and senior administrators, faculty, the Board of Trustees, Alumni Association, students, alumni, foundations and many other supporters and friends of Lawrence. Today, this far reaching community is extremely proud to be a part of Lawrence. Our pride was perhaps best experienced at last October’s Campaign finale dinner celebration, which included a 100+ student “Flash Mob” performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah to an amazed crowd of 250+ friends of Lawrence.
There is no doubt that we are well positioned for the future thanks to Jill’s leadership. We wish Jill and her husband Rob our best as they plan for what’s next in their future.
Filling Jill’s shoes is a significant challenge. We do expect to see strong interest by many candidates (both internal and external) in becoming Lawrence’s 16th President. We have already initiated the lengthy process to select a new leader and are looking forward to this important work. Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible and continue our great ride to an exciting future for Lawrence.
Terry Franke ’68, chair Lawrence University Board of Trustees
