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SUNY Potsdam's Schwaller draws praise after surprise resignation announcement

Posted 11/28/12

POTSDAM -- Leaders of the SUNY Potsdam College Council and College Foundation Board members say Pres. John F. Schwaller, who surprised the community on Tuesday announcing plans to step down at the …

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SUNY Potsdam's Schwaller draws praise after surprise resignation announcement

Posted

POTSDAM -- Leaders of the SUNY Potsdam College Council and College Foundation Board members say Pres. John F. Schwaller, who surprised the community on Tuesday announcing plans to step down at the end of July , say the campus made “exceptional progress” and achieved “record-breaking” fundraising under his leadership.

The Board of Trustees of the State University of New York will discuss the leadership transition at its December meeting, according to SUNY Potsdam officials.

Potsdam attorney Roger B. Linden, a 1974 graduate of the school and chair of the college council, praised the steps Schwaller has taken to move the institution forward.

"On behalf of the SUNY Potsdam College Council, I would like to commend Fritz for the exceptional progress that the campus has made under his guidance, and look forward to our continued relationship over the next several months,” Linden said.

Dr. Stephen D. Immerman, from the Class of ’75 and immediate past president of the Potsdam College Foundation Board of Trustees, said, “Over the last six years, the Potsdam College Foundation has experienced record-breaking fundraising achievements, and I want to thank Fritz for his role in our success. Potsdam has always been a leader throughout its 200-year history, and I have every confidence we will continue to lead by providing students with a first-rate 'handcrafted education' in the arts and sciences."

"One of President Schwaller's contributions to the campus has been to emphasize the handcrafted education, and that will continue to be an integral part of the SUNY Potsdam experience,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Margaret E. Madden. “The most important thing that happens here happens all of our learning environments, with the interaction between students and professors, and that distinct legacy will continue in the future."

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, "President Schwaller has been a partner in our shared service initiatives and his contributions have helped make the collaboration between Potsdam and Canton a model for the entire SUNY System.

“The Potsdam campus has continued to build on its reputation in the performing arts and has developed new momentum in the sciences during his tenure,” Zimpher said. “I thank President Schwaller for his outstanding service and wish him the best as he continues his academic pursuits. Moving forward, SUNY will work to ensure a smooth transition and continued leadership at Potsdam.”

Schwaller's career in higher education spans more than 30 years. He has been president of the Potsdam college since March 2006.

Schwaller's letter to the campus announcing his intentions can be read at www.potsdam.edu/about/administration/president/notes.cfm.