In a meeting called less than two hours prior, President Michael McPherson announced that he would resign from his position at the end of this academic year. He will head the Spencer Foundation, a group that funds educational research, in Chicago.

McPherson's address to the group that assembled in Weyerhaeuser Chapel lasted just over five minutes. He expressed mixed emotions about leaving Macalester. "Marge and I have always felt at home here," he said. "There is not another college presidency I would rather have."

He said that his wife, Marge, was not in attendance because "she thought she had cried enough tears for one day."

In a letter distributed to the community after the announcement, McPherson said that although leaving the school would be "enormously difficult," the Spencer Foundation offers a "unique and wonderful opportunity." He spoke of his excitement at the chance to lead the foundation and at being able to conduct his own research.

After McPherson made his announcement, Trustee David Ranheim '64 commented on behalf of the Board, whose members had been informed only moments earlier in a conference call. He expressed the Board's regret that McPherson's presidency would not last longer, to which the audience applauded.

"We will miss you," Ranheim said. "There is no other way to say it."

Ranheim went on to say that the Board would meet promptly to discuss the search process.

Dean of International Studies and Programming Ahmed Samatar recognized McPherson's contributions to the college but stressed the importance of looking to the future.

"It is up to us, the permanent stakeholders of the college, to attract a new president that will help the school reach its greatest potential," he said.

Geography Department Chair George Lanegran expressed congratulations at McPherson's opportunity, saying that the Foundation is "a perfect match-up for him."

Vice President of College Advancement Richard Ammons had similar sentiments. "I'm happy for Mike and sad for Macalester," he said. "He helped build great relations for the college. He's been a great mentor for me and has a deep love for Macalester and the values it holds."

In a letter issued along with McPherson's, Chair of the Board of Trustees Mark Vander Ploeg '74 wished the President well in his new position and praised the accomplishments of his tenure.

"Because of his leadership and scholarship on higher education issues, Macalester has achieved even greater prominence as a leading liberal arts college," he said, pointing to the fundraising campaign that helped build the new Campus Center and helped improve the academic program.

McPherson assured the audience that he would remain engaged with the Macalester community until his departure. " For the next eight months, my focus will be here at the college."

He listed issues that he will continue to work on "in the days and months ahead," such as the new public policy program, the Center for Scholarship and Teaching, curriculum discussions and new Athletic and Fine Arts facilities.

"I'm not going yet," he said. "There's a lot of work left to do."