To the Carleton Community,
After more than a decade of leading and stewarding Carleton, President Steve Poskanzer informed the Board of Trustees today of his wish to step down at the end of this academic year, in July 2021. The Board reluctantly accepts his decision with great appreciation for all he’s done for Carleton, and will continue to do in the next year and beyond.
Anyone who knows Steve knows how deeply he cares about Carleton. He works tirelessly to keep Carleton strong and true to its mission. He will hand over to his successor a College even stronger in its academic quality than its already high level when he arrived in 2010.
Among Steve’s many accomplishments as President include building a more diverse student body — socioeconomically, racially and geographically; maintaining the highest standards for faculty hiring and tenure decisions; and implementing focused strategic plans to enhance our College. Under Steve’s leadership, we have raised more than $400 million — and counting — for the Every Carl for Carleton campaign in support of these plans. He has placed new emphasis on preparing students for careers and life after Carleton, completed essential new and renovated facilities, and deepened collaborations with St. Olaf College.
The Board of Trustees has primary responsibility for bringing a new president to Carleton and will need the help of the entire Carleton community along the way. Over the next few weeks, the Board will create a search committee, which will be co-chaired by Trustee Cathy Paglia ’74 and me.
Steve will continue to lead our College through next July, then take some well-deserved time away before returning to campus to teach. We congratulate Steve for all the things he has already done for Carleton, and we pledge to him our continued support in the months ahead.
Best Regards,
Wally Weitz ’70 P ’96, ’99, ’02
Chair of the Board of Trustees