 "Photo: Lauar Rosser")
After a decade at Wesleyan, Dr. Harold Jeffcoat announced April 23 that he will retire from his position as president of the university June 1, 2010.
Jeffcoat plans on returning to teach humanities and European Union law after taking a one-year sabbatical, according to a press release. The board of trustees will name an interim-president while they search for a replacement.
“My wife Marie and I have enjoyed 10 years of productive, rewarding work for Texas Wesleyan University,” Jeffcoat said in an e-mail. “I look forward to returning and beginning my next objective to become the best ex-president I can be for Texas Wesleyan.”
According to the Star-Telegram, Jeffcoat is responsible for putting Wesleyan in financial order while creating programs in education, law and nurse anesthesia.
Jeffcoat said he and his wife plan to return to their summer home in Norway before departing on a world cruise in January to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Pamela Rast, kinesiology professor and president of faculty assembly, said Jeffcoat will be missed.
“He had difficult decisions to make this university fiscally sound,” she said. “He did a fantastic job.”
Bill Bleibdrey, senior vice president of finance and administration, said Wesleyan will need a visionary new president.
“He’s laid the foundation for things to be much better in 10 years than they are today,” Bleibdrey said.
According to a Wesleyan news release, an interim-president will be chosen within weeks while the executive search is conducted.
SGA President Heath Scott, who will serve on the committee to select the new president, said Jeffcoat will remain a figure at the university.
“He has forever cemented his name at Wesleyan,” he said. “He was widely respected by students and faculty alike.”
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