Feb. 12, 2018, President Carl J. Strikwerda announced in a letter to the greater Elizabethtown College community that he will be retiring June 30, 2019, following the end of his second term as president of the College. Before being named Etown’s 14th president, Strikwerda was the Dean of the Faculty of the Arts and Sciences at The College of William and Mary. He will be serving eight years at the College since being named president in Aug. 2011. To the members of the community, his leadership and presence will be missed.

“I felt a sense of loss, losing a colleague and fellow historian,” professor of history, College Registrar and Dean of Curriculum and Assessment Dr. W. Brian Newsome said in the wake of the announcement. Newsome and Strikwerda have collaborated in the past, with Strikwerda writing the article “World War I in the History of Globalization” for “Historical Reflections/Réflexions historiques,” a publication that Newsome co-edits. Strikwerda’s wife, Scholar-in-Residence Gail Bossenga, is another historian who Newsome expressed sadness at losing.

Students such as first-year Alissa Stoneking reacted similarly to Strikwerda’s retirement announcement.

“I felt a little sad, because he seems like a really good person,” Stoneking said. “I’ve had the chance to listen to a lecture of his, and it was really interesting.”

To Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development Dr. Betty Rider, Strikwerda’s retirement was inevitable in the coming years.

“I’m happy whenever anyone experiences a positive life transition such as retirement,” she said. “Having a general idea of President Strikwerda’s stage of life, as well as the life course of a typical presidency in higher education, I expected that Elizabethtown College would be looking at a presidential transition over the next few years.”

“According to a recent study by the American Council on Education, the average length of time for a college presidency is 6.5 years. Dr. Strikwerda will have completed an eight-year presidency when he retires at the end of next year,” Rider said.

Even with 17 months left to his term, Strikwerda has accomplished a lot in his time as president, with many of his contributions to the College highlighted in his letter. Some of the most notable accomplishments he listed include raising over $49 million for the BE More Inspired campaign, introducing the President’s Promise of Affordability and the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, joining the American Talent Initiative to increase the amount of transfer students and breaking ground on the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being. Under his presidency, the College has also moved to the Landmark Athletic Conference.

“And we have even more to accomplish over the next 17 months, together,” Strikwerda wrote in his letter. Later, he elaborated on what he specifically will focus on in his last year.

“I want to work hard on a lot of the current strategic plan,” he said.

This plan includes a large focus on academics, with expanding the engineering program, adding majors in data science and introducing physician’s assistant and nursing programs.

Additionally, Strikwerda mentioned the Bowers Center and improving residence halls on campus as other initiatives he plans to take.

With Strikwerda’s retirement, the College will have to replace his position. The Board of Trustees will oversee the search and selection process, but faculty, staff, students and alumni will participate in the search, too.

Students, faculty and Strikwerda himself shared what they would like to see out of the next president at the College.

“I think we need someone with a strong presence on the campus and who takes initiative for the College to continue to grow,” Stoneking said.

“I would be looking for somebody with lots of experience in the needs of the faculty, staff and students,” Newsome said. “They also need to have successful experience with fundraising, and to have demonstrated a capacity in leading during a time of transition.”

Rider said that she is looking for “someone with a great deal of energy and passion for a small private institution that distinguishes itself through, among other things, its commitment to mentoring students for success.”

As president, Strikwerda spoke from his own experiences regarding what traits his successor needs to have.

“Multitask. You have to know how to multitask,” he said. “One minute, you’re dealing with 17-year-olds, the next you’re dealing with 75-year-olds, then you’re dealing with faculty with intellectual issues and the next you’re dealing with the Chamber of Commerce.”

He also listed having a good grasp of construction issues, launching health science programs and having the ability to raise money as important skills for the position.

Once his term ends in June 2019, Strikwerda said in his letter that he will be moving to Washington D.C. with his wife. While there, he plans to travel and expand his scholarship.

Even though he has already published an article on World War I’s impact on globalization in Newsome’s journal, Strikwerda said he would like to continue exploring the field after he has retired and has more time to dedicate to writing and research.

However, he also expressed desire in returning to Lancaster County after he is finished with his scholarly projects.

“I really loved being president here. I enjoyed greeting faculty, staff, alumni, the community and meeting students,” Strikwerda said. “I’ll miss the wonderful people. It’s a great community that’s been supportive and welcoming.”

Specifically, Strikwerda also said he will miss the Induction and Emergent Scholars ceremonies every year.

Faculty also reflected on their time working alongside Strikwerda throughout his eight-year term at the College.

“During my time at Elizabethtown College, I have enjoyed working with three presidents: Gerhard Speigler, Theodore Long and Carl Strikwerda,” Rider said. “All have brought different strengths and perspectives to the position and the College has benefited from their leadership.”

“It’s been a pleasure getting to serve with Carl and Gail,” Newsome said.

“Elizabethtown is a very special place,” Strikwerda said. “It has a unique mix of excellence, seriousness, a supportive community and a sense of mission in ‘Educate for Service.’”