University of Montana President George Dennison announces retirement

University of Montana President George Dennison announced Monday afternoon that he will be retiring on Aug. 15, 2010.

He said he intended to announce his retirement in September, but delayed the announcement while MSU searched for its new president.

Dennison has been head of the University since 1990.

Full Story: http://www.montanakaimin.com/index.php/articles/article/president_dennison_announces_retirement/590

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25 January 2010

TO: Colleagues and Friends

FROM: G. M. Dennison, President

SUBJECT: Retirement

I send this memorandum to inform you that I have notified the campus community, the Commissioner of Higher Education, and the Regents that I will retire from the Presidency of The University of Montana on 15 August 2010 – or as soon thereafter as the Board of Regents arranges for my successor to assume the position – twenty years to the day since my arrival on campus in 1990. I originally intended to announce this decision last September but delayed it on request until after the successful conclusion of the search for a new President of Montana State University. I have considered it an honor and a privilege to serve as President of a wonderful institution, made so by the people who constitute it. I cannot speak about stepping back from the role as President of The University of Montana without expressing my deep gratitude and profound respect for the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have worked with me over the years to advance the University. I truly believe we have together positioned the University for continued success in the 21st century. Make no mistake, Presidents come and go, but the students, faculty, staff, and alumni remain. You deserve the credit for making The University of Montana a remarkable success. I can take my leave knowing that my alma mater remains in good hands and will continue to develop, whatever the challenges before it.

In the next couple of weeks the Commissioner and Regents will organize a search process to identify the next President of The University of Montana. I will do all I can to assist, but intend to stay out of the way. During the next three years, I plan to write a history of The University of Montana – a labor of love as well as hard work – so I will spend a good deal of time doing the necessary research and talking to people. I will also consider some teaching as the opportunities present themselves. I have enjoyed these past twenty years more than any words can convey, in large measure because of the quality of the people who constitute The University of Montana. I want also to express my appreciation to the Commissioner and the Regents – as well as their predecessors since 1990 – for the friendship and support they have bestowed upon me. Their support and your collaborative efforts made my work as President a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Based on all I have learned, I can confidently paraphrase the oft-invoked toast coined by founding President Oscar John Craig:
TO THE UNIVERSITY, BECAUSE OF YOU, IT SHALL PROSPER!

Thank you for your counsel and support over the years.