Dr. Beverly Rodgers steps down as MacMurray College president
September 30, 2020
JACKSONVILLE, IL – The Board of Trustees of MacMurray College has accepted the resignation of the 17th and final president of the college, effective September 30.
Dr. Beverly Rodgers, who agreed to extend her service through the end of September after the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close the 174-year-old institution in March, has officially tendered her resignation. She joined MacMurray as its provost and vice president of academic affairs in 2017 and was named president after the retirement of President Mark Tierno in July 2019.
In her letter of resignation, Dr. Rodgers acknowledged the moment. “We all knew this day was coming and I face it with both thankfulness and regret. It has indeed been an honor to meet and work with so many of you. MacMurray’s financial challenges were daunting, yet you were with me each step of the way as we worked relentlessly to pivot to more career-focused academics and robust fundraising. Please know that I will, all my life, regret not being able to guide MacMurray College to a more viable and bright future. I know we share in this regret.”
“Dr. Rodgers worked both energetically and relentlessly to find a path to viability,” said John D. Nicolay, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Sadly, she became president when the college was already in deep financial straits. She was indeed the right person for this daunting challenge, but she didn’t have sufficient time to execute a turnaround. The Board expresses its deepest gratitude, indeed shares her regret, and wishes her the best as she moves into her next chapter.”
Nicolay also thanked Rodgers for agreeing to serve as a part-time consultant to the Board of Trustees in the coming months. He noted that the college has one remaining full-time employee, a college administrator working on behalf of the Board of Trustees.
Rodgers is set to join the Washington, DC-based Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), as a senior associate working with university boards of and executives.
About MacMurray College: MacMurray College, founded in 1846, was an independent, four-year college with a strong liberal arts tradition that was closed by its Board of Trustees after the 2020 spring semester. Its 60-acre campus is located in the city of Jacksonville, about 30 miles west of Springfield.
Media Contact:
Jim Prescott
c/o MacMurray College
jprescott@prescottgroupllc.com
(m) 708 717 2110