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Mark Gearan To Step Down As HWS College President Next Year

The President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Mark Gearan is leaving that post after 18 years.

In a letter to faculty and staff, he said that he has told the Board of Trustees he will leave that post at the end of the current academic year, which completes his contractual obligations.

Gearan says that will allow for an orderly national search and transition to the next president. The 59 year old Gearan says the decision to leave has not been an easy one, but he says given the successful efforts of the past years and the current momentum, this is the appropriate time to move on.

When he does leave, Gearan says he has accepted an appointment at Harvard University as the ‘President in Residence,’ working on issues facing higher education.

Gearan is a Massachusetts native and earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard.  He also has served in the Clinton White House as Assistant to the President and Director of Communications and Strategic Planning.

Gearan was also director of the Peace Corps from 1995 to 1999.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.