Presbyterian College president announces retirement at conclusion of 2011-12 academic year

CLINTON, SC – November 7, 2011 – Presbyterian College president JohnV. Griffith announced today that he will retire at the conclusion of the2011-12 academic year.

The 63 -year-old Griffith, who in 1998became the 16th president in Presbyterian’s 131-year history, informedthe Board of Trustees of his decision in late October.  His 14-yeartenure as president of the college will officially end June 30, 2012.

“I am keenly aware that I am stepping down at a very challengingtime,” said Griffith.  “The global economic recession has adverselyaffected many institutions, including colleges and universities.  However, under the leadership of our gifted Board of Trustees for andwith whom I have had the pleasure of working, we have a clear roadmapfor success. The strategic priorities for our academic program, theestablishment of our School of Pharmacy, and the move of our athleticprogram to NCAA DI (FCS) are bold and well-conceived strategies fordistinction and strength.  Presbyterian College is a strong institutionwith an even stronger future within sight.  

“As I look back over the period of my appointment, my greatestpleasure comes from witnessing the quality, actions, and accomplishmentsof our faculty and students. We have a talented, strong, and committedfaculty.  Our students reflect values, accomplishments, and aspirationsthat will enable them to contribute toward building a just societywherever they may land.  Together, they build an academic community ofuncommon excellence and uniqueness. This plays out on a daily basis aswe strive to fulfill our mission as a church-related liberal artscollege in the top ranks of the academic mainstream. The passion forthis is shared by our dedicated staff, coaches, and administrativeleadership who add measurably to this undertaking.”

William B. Shearer Jr., chairman of the PC Board of Trustees, saidGriffith has been a “tremendous asset” to Presbyterian College.

“He has brought foresight, vision and clarity of mission to ourcampus,” he said “We will miss him tremendously and we will be foreverblessed by and thankful for John’s outstanding leadership. He and Nancyhave worked tirelessly on behalf of the college over these past 14years.”

According to Shearer, the search for a new president will beginimmediately, with the intention that Griffith’s successor will be inplace by July 2012.

A native of Hamilton, New York, Griffith joined Presbyterian Collegeas president on Jan. 1, 1998.  Before that, he served as president ofLyon College from 1989 thru 1997.  He also served Davidson College,first as dean of admission and financial aid, and then as vice presidentfor institutional advancement. 

From the outset of his administration, Griffith led the PC communityin a year-long strategic planning initiative that resulted in a bold andinnovative plan that guides the college through the first decade of the21st century as it seeks to be among the top liberal arts college inSouth Carolina and one of the recognized leaders in the Southeast.  During his tenure, the College raised more than $140 million,established a doctoral program in pharmacy, was awarded a ConfuciusInstitute, and positioned the College to transition from NCAA DivisionII to NCAA Division I.

The College also adopted a curriculum that now includes freshmenseminars, capstone experiences in all majors, internship opportunitiesfor all students, and a broad-based international context. Six endowedprofessorships have been named and eight major facilities have beeneither built or renovated.
Over the course of his career, Griffith has developed a particularinterest and expertise in strategic planning, board development, andleadership development in general.  Since Davidson, Lyon andPresbyterian College are all church related liberal arts colleges, hehas taken a keen interest in this type of institution and often speakson the relationship between reason and faith in the academy. 

Griffith has served as a member of the executive board of theNational Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the chairof the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, chair andvice chair of the President’s Council of the South Carolina IndependentColleges and Universities, member of the board and past chair of theAspen Institute’s Wye Governing Council, and the representative ofprivate education to South Carolina’s Commission on Higher Education.  He has also served as a director of the chambers of commerce andeconomic development boards for the various communities in which he hasserved. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister (PCUSA) and a member ofTrinity Presbytery.