President Simone to retire in mid-2007

President Albert J. Simone, Rochester Institute of Technology’s 8th president, will retire in mid-2007. Simone’s career in higher education has spanned nearly 50 years, where he has served as an economics professor, a business school dean and president of two universities. He joined RIT in 1992 after leading the University of Hawaii.

“It has been a pleasure to serve RIT in what has been an extraordinarily rewarding experience,” said Simone. “Together, the accomplishments of the students, faculty, staff and alumni have taken RIT to new levels of excellence.”

Simone is responsible for one of the nation's leading career-oriented universities with 15,200-students from all 50 states and more than 90 foreign countries, 2,800 faculty and staff, an annual operating budget of more than $492 million, and an endowment of more than $570 million. The university has one of the oldest and largest cooperative education programs in the country.

“It simply amazes me as I walk around campus to see how much RIT has grown on so many levels,” said Simone. “RIT is unquestionably a university with tremendous momentum. I am very proud of the impact that RIT alumni, faculty, staff and students are making locally, nationally and globally.”

Michael P. Morley (business administration, ‘69), chairman of the Board of Trustees, announced that RIT will immediately begin to appoint a Presidential Search Committee.

Trustee Donald Boyce (business administration, ’67) will chair the committee, which will include representatives of all RIT constituencies in the spirit of an inclusive process. A timetable for the presidential search is being developed.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to extend my congratulations to Dr. Simone on his upcoming retirement,” said Morley. “Dr. Simone’s legacy is firmly established, as RIT has prospered under his steadfast leadership. He has positioned RIT as one of the leading national universities in professional and career-oriented education.”

Morley continued: “President Simone has consistently placed the success of students at the top of his priority list. We thank Dr. Simone for his 15 years of service to RIT and wish the Simone family all the best when he leaves office later in 2007.”

Simone is very active in a wide range of community organizations and has been a significant presence in Rochester since his arrival in 1992. He will continue to remain active in the Rochester community. He also plans to author several books related to leadership in higher education.

RIT Presidents:

Carleton B. Gibson - 1910-1916 James F. Barker - 1916-1919 Royal B. Farnum - 1919-1921 John A. Randall - 1922-1936 Mark Ellingson - 1936-1969 Paul A. Miller -1969-1979 M. Richard Rose - 1979-1992 Albert J. Simone -1992-2007