Mississippi State University President Charles Lee announced Monday, through an e-mail to students, faculty and staff, his plans to retire before the end of the current academic year.
State College Board President Virginia Shanteau Newton said in a news release that the search for a new president has already begun.
“I have asked Trustee Ed Blakeslee to chair the search committee and trustees Roy Klumb, D.E. Magee, Bettye Neely and Scott Ross to serve on the committee,” Newton said.
Lee, the university’s 17th president, began his term in January of 2002. Lee has served students in higher education for more than forty years.
Lee, who will enter his fourth year as president in spring 2006, will continue as president until a replacement is found, IHL commissioner Thomas C. Meredith said in the news release.
“He will retain full authority in running the university during the search process,” Meredith said. “The very best person must now be recruited nationally to lead this great institution. He and Pat are leaving big shoes to fill.”
President Lee’s retirement will leave a void at this university, and the students will miss him whether they realize it or not, Student Association President Jon David Cole said.
“It’s been no secret that Dr. Lee has wanted to retire, but no one expected it to come this soon,” Cole said.
Lee’s retirement will be a loss for the university, vice president for finance and administration Ray Hayes said.
“It’s sad for Mississippi State because he has been such a dynamic president,” Hayes said.
Cole said determining the course of the university after Lee retires will be difficult.
“[Lee] has provided badly needed leadership at this university in a very critical time,” Cole said.
Lee was the foremost spokesman for higher education in the state of Mississippi, Cole said, and he has made important decisions that will affect this university for the next decade.
In searching for a replacement for Lee, the university should look for a visionary with a clear goal for higher education in Mississippi, Cole said.
“If his successor shares his values of where our university should be in five years, then that will be a very healthy thing for Mississippi State,” Cole said.
Lee’s desire to retire after a long, successful career in order to spend more time with his family is perfectly understandable, Hayes said.
“Leaving office within the next few months is consistent with the plans that Pat and I made some time ago,” Lee said in the e-mail. “We look forward to finally beginning a previously postponed retirement in proximity to our children and grandchildren,” he said.
However, Lee’s coming retirement will not hinder his work, Hayes said.
“[President Lee] will push the projects and programs that he already has in place,” he said.
Lee said in his e-mail that he has enjoyed his term in office and appreciates the cooperation of all those he has worked with.
“I will continue to devote my full energy to seeking resources the university needs during the upcoming legislative session and to continuing our focus on institutional priorities,” Lee said.
President Lee is a quiet leader who will leave a legacy as a president who made huge strides in economic and community relations, former Student Association President Adam Telle said.
“I’ve never been around a man who cared more about the students,” he said.