A special Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Board of Trustee meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 3, at 11 a.m. to determine the "next course of action" following the resignation of President Rodney S. Hanley, Ph.D., says Dean of Admissions and Marketing Fred Pierce.
Hanley issued a statement earlier today to notify LSSU faculty, students, and community members of his resignation, effective June, 29.
No further information regarding the resignation has been released at this time.
Following is a letter announcing the resignation:
Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, and Friends of Lake Superior State University,
I am writing to announce that after much thought and consideration, I have decided to resign from my position as President of Lake Superior State University, effective June 29th. I am leaving in order to pursue a new and exciting opportunity.
It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the president of this exceptional institution for the past five years. During my tenure, we have achieved significant milestones and made remarkable progress in many areas.
One of our proudest achievements has been the recognition of Lake Superior State University as the number one public college in the Midwest according to the most recent rankings of U.S. News and World Report.
This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, and students.
We also achieved many other prestigious rankings, including the 13th best bachelor’s college in the nation (Washington Monthly), 32nd best value school in the nation (U.S. News), 24th top performer in social mobility in the nation (U.S. News), and the number one best bang-for-your-buck college in Michigan (Washington Monthly).
Throughout our day-to-day activities it is sometimes easy to overlook significant accomplishments, but being recognized in various national rankings reminds us that others recognize what we have accomplished.
In addition to the rankings, we have added the first new academic programs in at least 20 years, including the nation’s first Cannabis Chemistry and Cannabis Business programs.
These programs and the dedicated faculty involved with them have positioned LSSU as a national leader within the industry. Additional programs added include Aquaponics Entrepreneurship, Data Science, Emergency Management, E-Marketing, Geographical Information Systems, International Business, Mechatronics, Natural Resources, Pre-Professional Science, Robotics Engineering, Post RN Licensure Completion program, Rural Health, Social Emotional Learning, Sustainability, Cannabis Science, Cannabis Health, and Cannabis Production.
Financially, we have successfully eliminated a multi-million-dollar structural deficit that the university had been carrying for numerous decades.
Additionally, we have achieved multiple years of surplus budgets, both of which demonstrate our financial stability and responsible management of resources.
Our record fundraising efforts over the last five years have also provided crucial support for our student scholarships, academic programs, research initiatives, and campus facilities. In fact, we increased the number of donors to the university by 75.6% from 2018 to 2022 and increased overall fundraised dollars by 53.2% from 2020 to 2022.
We have also faced unprecedented challenges over the past three years due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, and I am proud of the way our university community came together to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.
We implemented effective measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, adapted our teaching and learning methods to meet the needs of our students, and continued to deliver high-quality education despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Furthermore, we have made significant strides in advancing our research and educational efforts related to freshwater ecosystems through the construction of the Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education. This state-of-the-art facility has enabled us to expand our research capabilities and offer new educational opportunities for our students. Finally, our selection to host the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes, which studies oil spills in freshwater environments, further strengthened our reputation as a leader in freshwater research and education.
Perhaps the accomplishment for which I am most proud during my tenure as president is the dedication and commitment we have shown towards first-generation and financially disadvantaged students.
As an institution, we confront the challenges these students face every day, and we pave the way for them to graduate and go on to successful careers. Our fundamental commitment to developing pathways for traditionally underrepresented students is critical to anyone who may have never dared to dream of a better life for themselves by seeking an education at LSSU.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the president of Lake Superior State University and to have worked alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals. I am confident that the university will continue to thrive under the leadership of my successor, and I look forward to watching its continued success in the years to come.
Thank you and best wishes to you all.
Sincerely,
Rodney S. Hanley, Ph.D.
President
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