President Christoph M. Kimmich Announces His Retirement

President Christoph M. Kimmich will step down this summer after a decade as president and 36 years at Brooklyn College. During his presidency, the College experienced academic renewal, significant growth in student enrollment, and major renovation and construction.

The President informed the college community of his intention to retire in an electronic letter today:

January 12, 2009

Colleagues, Friends, and Students –

I write to tell you of my decision to retire, effective this summer. 

I’ve given a great deal of thought to this decision and think, as I embark on my tenth year in office, that the time is right. 

When I assumed the presidency in spring 2000, I knew that I had the chance to lead a college that was rife with promise and that, working together, we could realize that promise. 

First and foremost, the College could transform itself academically.  It would appoint new faculty, the best graduates of the best graduate schools.  It would admit students able to meet the high expectations the faculty set in the classroom.  It would expand its honors academy and make it a signature program.  And, not least, it would create new programs, update existing programs, and recommit itself to a stimulating and challenging new core curriculum. 

Second, the College could reaffirm and strengthen its commitment to being a student-centered campus.  Few colleges boast a student body so varied and diverse—intellectually, socio-economically, ethnically, religiously—and have the opportunity to build a true sense of community and of mutual respect.  That more and more students are deciding to stay and graduate with a Brooklyn College degree is surely telling. 

Third, the College could transform itself physically.  We built a new library, doubled the capacity of the library café, began to modernize the student center, renovated lecture halls and labs, and turned classrooms into smart classrooms.  The West Quad is the first new building in nearly fifty years.  A performing arts center and a new science complex are on the drawing board.  A concerted effort to make up for long-deferred maintenance earned us the Princeton Review’s ranking as "the most beautiful campus."  

Fourth, the College could manage our day-to-day affairs more efficiently and effectively.  Technology was instrumental, and our success in devising ever new applications easily made us the leader among our peers.  Improved processes in budgeting, purchasing, recruiting and hiring, and in facilities have made a visible difference.  

Finally, the College could raise funds, private as well as public, to get all that done.  Over these years, we raised over $80 million from alumni and friends.  Our success enabled the College to recognize faculty through endowed and named professorships, to provide students with scholarships and travel stipends, and to build a new home for theater and music.  With the help of our friends in government and our partners in the community, we also raised some $400 million in capital funds.  It was money well spent. 

This record, initiated by a broad planning process and implemented through two consecutive five-year plans, allows us to anticipate our Middle States re-accreditation review with confidence.  Nothing, however, would have been accomplished without your active participation and steadfast support, your ideas and insights, your energies – and your loyal commitment to our College.  I leave with a great deal of pride in what we have done by dreaming, planning, and working together. 

This is not goodbye.  We will have ample opportunity to meet or talk in the months ahead.  We also have important work ahead of us, not least, of course, the Middle States.

Christoph M. Kimmich
President

P.S. Late last week, I informed the chancellor of my decision.  The University has a long-standing process for conducting searches for college presidents.  A committee, composed of representatives of the Board of Trustees, the Council of Presidents, and the affected college community, generally assisted by a search consultant, is charged with recruiting, interviewing, and making recommendations to the chancellor.  I know the committee will do a careful, painstaking search.  Brooklyn College deserves no less.