Grand Valley State University announced Wednesday that its president, Thomas J. Haas, plans to retire in 2019.
Haas became the fourth president of the university in 2006. Since then, Grand Valley has grown considerably, adding 30 undergraduate programs and 16 graduate programs. With over 25,000 students, it's now the fourth largest university in Michigan.
"It’s the right time to announce my retirement, but let me assure everyone, I’m as excited to come to work at Grand Valley as I’ve ever been," said Haas in a statement.
More from the Grand Valley State press release:
The Board of Trustees will serve as the search committee to select Grand Valley's next president. Board Chair John C. Kennedy will also chair the search committee, and Vice President for University Relations Matthew E. McLogan will serve as staff to the Presidential Search Committee. An executive search firm will be hired to assist in locating well-qualified and diverse candidates. The Board will appoint an advisory committee that will consist of four trustees and 11 others who are members of Grand Valley's faculty and staff, and one representative each from the Student Senate, alumni and the general public. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee, assisted by the search firm and staff, will solicit comments from the university community and constituencies outside the university on the needs of Grand Valley and the qualifications for the next president.
