St. Michael’s College President Marc vanderHeyden announced his intentions to resign from his office following the 2006-2007 academic year. The announcement was made during a general assembly held on May 5 at the McCarthy Arts Center. Approximately 150 members of the St. Michael’s community attended the event.
President Marc vanderHeyden announces plans to leave St. Michael's after the 2006-2007 academic year to more than 150 members of the St. Michael's Community.
(Jessie Palatucci, photo)
“I have to share with you that this next academic year, 2006-2007, will be my last as president of St. Michael’s,” vanderHeyden said during his speech. “When I leave, I shall be close to turning 69, and Dana and I concur that if I want to try something else in life, I had better get on with it.”
A president of change
vanderHeyden was named the 15th president in the history of St. Michael’s in 1996.He is currently in his 10th year in office.
During the last decade, the college has seen growth in a number of areas. Academically, college was accepted in the fall of 2003 to create a prestigious Phi Beta Kappa chapter on campus.
The college also recently completed a $52 million capital campaign, and has seen a number of renovations and new buildings built around campus.
”I have tried my best to live by the remarks and suggestions I made in my inaugural address ten years ago when I said that I would, at times, remind myself that I am not the holiest and, therefore, could not be your example, and I am not the smartest and, therefore, should not be lecturing,” vanderHeyden said during his speech. “I have tried to live on the strength of listening and following my conscience. I am at ease with that and at peace with what I’ve done.”
The St. Michael’s Board of Trustees will soon initiate a search to identify a successor to vanderHeyden.
Reactions
The majority of the crowd gathered to witness vanderHeyden’s speech were faculty and staff members at St. Michael’s
Mike New, vice president of human resources at St. Michael’s, says that while the announcement wasn’t unexpected by most people, it wasn’t until the announcement that reality really set in.
”I have great affection for Marc personally,” says New. “He hired me. I’ve been here five years and I’ve enjoyed working with him. Hell, I’m going to miss him.”
"Under Marc's capable leadership, the overall quality of Saint Michael's as a Catholic, residential, liberal arts college has been substantially enhanced," says Jim Wall, director of the board of trustees.
(Jessie Palatucci, photo)
Chris Kenny, assistant athletic director at St. Michael’s and an alumnus of the college, says that the legacy vanderHeyden will leave behind is immense.
“It’s very impressive and will hold up as a very remarkable era throughout the course of the college’s history,” Kenny says. “There’s no question he’s done a considerable amount of work to improve the value of my degree I earned here in the 1980s.”
Vermont Senator and St. Michael’s alumnus Patrick Leahy (D,Vt.) released a statement in response to vanderHeyden’s announcement.
”I find that when I tell people these days that I graduated from St. Michael’s, they know where it is and what it does.” Leahy says. “Marc has made sure that St. Michael’s has kept its Catholic values and sense of social responsibility, coupled with the best of academic achievement. I’m proud of him and proud of the college."
All about the students
Incoming Student Association (S.A.) president Arly Scully reflects on the first time that she met vanderHeyden.
“I was so impressed at his eagerness to meet with students,” Scully says. “I don’t know any other college where the president would come into the cafeteria and just sit down with you and chat with you or will make time to show up at student events.”
Scully says that vanderHeyden’s passion is above all else directed towards the St. Michael’s undergrads.
“He’s so open and willing to answer student’s questions, and he really makes you feel like he’s not just here to make sure the buildings go up and make sure the trustees do their job, and alumni give out money,” Scully says. “His main concern is with the students.”
Future S.A. vice president Allan Smith says although his is saddened by vanderHeyden’s announcement, there is much to look forward to because of the legacy he leaves behind.
”As he said in his speech, with a rapidly changing world, especially at this particular institution of higher learning, you will always have to have fresh blood to come in and retake the reins,” Smith says. “He is truly going to be missed, and I’m glad he stayed with us for the ten years that he did.”
Although vanderHeyden thanked many people throughout his speech, he reserved a special place for the students of the college.
“I want to thank the students of St. Michael’s College and all those who have become alumni over the past decade,” vanderHeyden said during the speech. “They are the raison d’ệtre for our institution, but also for my energy, my hope and my love for the next generation.”
Please note that a new edition of The Echo will not be updated until September.
Have a great summer and congratulations to the class of 2006.
Please forward any questions or comments to Jessie Palatucci
jpalatucci@smcvt.edu
or Ryan Dulude
rdulude@smcvt.edu
