President Peggy R. Williams announced today her plans to retire May 31, 2008.
In an Intercom announcement released this afternoon, Williams said she met with Bill Schwab, chair of Ithaca College�s Board of Trustees, earlier this week to inform him of her decision. She will remain involved with the transition in a sabbatical role during the 2008-09 academic year, but said the �timing is right� for her to move on.

�After 36 years in higher education — 19 of those as a president — it is time for me to close this chapter in my professional life and move on to the next,� she said.

Williams, the college�s seventh and only female president, has served as president since July 1, 1997. Before coming to the college, Williams served as president of Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, Vt. for eight years. She also spent time at Trinity College in Burlington, Vt. as associate academic dean, chair of the business and economics department and associate professor.

Wiliams’ retirement will come at the conclusion of the college’s Capital Campaign and its review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which both began during her tenure.