At inRich the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that VCU’s president Eugene P. Trani will step down next year. Trani, 68, has been president of VCU since 1990.
Virginia Commonwealth University President Eugene P. Trani announced today that he is stepping down July 1, a year earlier than planned.
Trani, who will turn 69 in the fall, said he will retire as president next summer and serve only as professor of history. He had planned to stay until 2010.
In a press conference this morning at VCU, Trani said his decision is based entirely on his health and the quintuple coronary artery bypass surgery he underwent a month ago.
“The surgery just changed everything, no question,” he said.
Click here to read the entire article.
WTVR-TV6 reports:
Tom Rosenthal, VCU’s rector and chairman of its Board of Visitors, told CBS 6 News this morning that there was no link between Dr. Trani’s resignation and the recent scandals that have rocked the University’s administation and faculty.
“We had no evidence whatsoever - zero, zilch,” that Trani had direct involvement in the granting of Monroe’s degree, Rosenthal said.
The diploma case “is not related to this decision,’ Rosenthal said.
Soon after the scandal broke, Trani admitted he told his staff that he thought it was a “great idea” for Monroe to get a VCU degree, but he denied telling anyone to take any shortcuts.
Several VCU professors and officials have told CBS 6 that a strong endorsement by Trani for an idea serves practically as marching orders.
Rosenthal said Trani called him yesterday, telling him of his decision to step down a year early for health reasons.
Click here for WTVR.com’s report.
From VCU News Center:
“My surgery and recovery have made it clear to me that I should listen to my physician’s advice, and that stepping down one year earlier than planned is the best thing for me to do,” Dr. Trani said. “I have had time this past month to reflect upon how important it is for me to spend time with my family while I am healthy.”
Dr. Trani has led VCU through a major transformation during what will be a19-year tenure as president, building the university into a major urban research institution and the largest university in Virginia.
“Time for reflection over the past few weeks also has caused me to realize that the presidential priorities I set for myself as president have in good measure been accomplished and that stepping down in 2009 is good timing for VCU, as our great institution considers the next phase of our dynamic history,” Dr. Trani said.
Click here to read the entire article at the VCU News Center.
Does this mean football for VCU isn’t far down the road? Trani had sworn off football during his stint, but that won’t bind the next guy. Please don’t tell me the stadium for VCU football will be built in Oregon Hill. Yikes!
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Updates:
Click here to read the RT-D’s “Trani era nears end,” which includes a video segment.
Click here to read “Trani’s Decision” at SLANTblog.
Click here to read Michael Paul Williams’ “An emperor has lost his invincibility.’
