RUNTE STEPS DOWN TO ACCEPT PRESIDENCY AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY
Old Dominion University President Roseann Runte announced today that she plans to step down July 1, 2008, to accept the position of president at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
Runte succeeded James V. Koch as Old Dominion's seventh president in July 2001.
"I wish to thank so many people for the privilege of serving this fine university, which is definitely positioned on a trajectory toward continued success," Runte said in a note to the campus community. "I am proud of all we have achieved together. Seven years of dreams and accomplishments have flown by at the speed of light."
"The Board of Visitors is most appreciative of all that Dr. Roseann Runte has achieved and accomplished, and grateful for the tireless efforts she has put forth during her nearly seven years as president of Old Dominion, said University Rector Marc Jacobson. "Under her leadership, the university has made great strides in every area imaginable. She has helped raise the profile of Old Dominion as a respected academic and research institution.
"We couldn't have asked for more. And while we are saddened to see her go, we know that she is leaving behind a university that is well positioned to continue the remarkable progress that has been made, and we wish her well as she embarks on her own new journey," Jacobson added.
Jacobson said the board will appoint a Presidential Search Committee soon, to include Board of Visitors members, plus representatives from faculty, staff and alumni. The search committee will select a consulting firm to aid in the process of finding a new leader for Old Dominion University, but the final decision on a successor to Runte will be the responsibility of the Board of Visitors, Jacobson said.
Runte came to Old Dominion having previously served as president of Victoria University, principal of Glendon College and president of l'Universit� Sainte-Anne, all in Canada. She is the first woman to hold ODU's top office.
During her tenure, Runte has been credited with achievements on many fronts, from enrollment and campus expansion to legislative relations and fundraising. A capital campaign she put in place has raised more than $100 million to date. She directed a tremendous period of growth in new campus facilities, valued at more than $100 million, and set in motion a plan for the university to pursue and achieve Top 100 status as a public research university.
She also led a significant effort in academic affairs where both undergraduate and graduate programs flourished under her leadership. ODU's research portfolio and reputation grew through her support that brought needed funding to interdisciplinary areas including bioelectrics and modeling and simulation, which has made an enormous contribution to the local economy.
Through all her tireless efforts in administration, Runte has remained faithful to her love of students and the classroom, teaching at least one course each year. In addition, she has continued to write academic, creative and editorial pieces.
She has served on numerous boards and commissions including UNESCO, the Club of Rome, the National Bank of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Foundation for International Training, EXPO 2000 and the Southern Commission on Colleges. She is president of the American Council of Education's Commission on International Education and a member of the International Parliament of Cultures.
President Runte has been awarded the Order of Canada, the French Order of Merit, fellowship in the Royal Society, a prize from the French Academy and a number of honorary degrees.