Carothers announces retirement, search for replacement begins

9/16/08 - Standing in front of an audience of more than 100 people yesterday morning, President Robert L. Carothers formally announced his retirement after nearly 18 years at the University of Rhode Island.Carothers will officially retire June 30.

Judge Frank Caprio, chairman of the Board of Governors for Higher Education spoke after Carothers, and said whomever takes his place will have "big shoes to fill."

He noted some of Carother's accomplishments, including more than $700 million in capital improvements such as the new pharmacy building, the Center of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and an increase in enrollment by more than 2,000 students in the past five years.

The task at hand is now searching for a new president, which begins immediately. Caprio named Thomas Ryan, notable alumns and chairman and chief executive officer of CVS Caremark Corporation as the head of the search committee.

Ryan called yesterday a "historic day in the university," and added the search committee needed to find someone who would be "a testament to [Carother's] leadership."

During the press conference, Carothers said the university needed "an outside person, someone who will be aggressively involved in fundraising."

Member of the search committee include Frank Annunziato, executive director of the American Association of University Professors, Brandon Brown, the student member on the BOG and Winifred Brownell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

"It's a mixed group," Ryan said. "We have our challenges ahead of us, but we'll get it done."

According to a press release, the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education has issued a request for proposals to find an executive search firm to help with the choosing process and is also drafting a profile highlighting "required and desirable attributes" of the next URI president.

The position will be advertised by October, and Caprio said there should be a list of viable candidates by the beginning of 2009. An appointment will be made in April or May 2009.

Caprio and Ryan emphasized the search to be a "collaborative effort" among university staff and Rhode Island officials.

At the conference, Carothers deviated from prepared remarks to briefly discuss his tenure, which began in 1991.

"Together, we have built a new culture of learning here at URI," Carothers said.

During his speech, Carothers quipped about Rhody Sports and parking and spoke solemnly about the current economic state of the university.

"This is the season for new ideas," Carothers said.

He thanked his colleagues, noting special recognition to Michelle Curreri, assistant to the president; Robert Weygand, vice president of administration and former Provost Beverly Swan.

"I've been blessed to serve with my colleagues," Carothers said. "I tremble most at the thought of being without them."

When answering questions from the press, the university president cautioned those present about the dwindling state appropriation allotted for URI.

Previous statements from Carothers have said the appropriation for the university will be zero by the year 2020. Yesterday, Carothers amended the remark, and said if the university had a repeat of the last three years, the zero mark would more likely be in 2013.

"We have to have the state make a decision ... if we're public or private," Carothers said. "That [state and university] relationship has got to be redefined, and we're not alone in that."

Caprio said the average tenure of a university president is about eight years, and said Carother's lasting years of service were due to "his dedication, his leadership and his respect."

Carothers said after the conference he was proudest of rebuilding the reputation of the university from "almost a joke, to something people can be proud of."

Weygand called Carother's retirement "very bittersweet," and said he was always impressed by "the dignity and professionalism [Carothers] has brought to the job."

"He has been by everyone's evaluation a tremendous leader and visionary," Weygand said.