President Kimmich Delivers Final Remarks to the Stated Meeting of the Faculty

President Christoph M. Kimmich made his nineteenth and final remarks at the spring 2009 Stated Meeting of the Faculty this week.  President Kimmich, who will retire this summer, attributed much of the credit for the College’s improved physical plant, faculty renewal, increased student enrollment, and growing academic excellence to the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who worked with him during his near-decade as President.

In a crisply delivered, succinct twenty-minute address, illustrated by amusing graphic and video material, the President focused on the attention his administration has paid to the infrastructure necessary for the College’s continued success in providing academic excellence and career opportunities to students.

"Throughout my presidency, I have had the benefit of your deep and unwavering dedication to this College and its welfare," said Kimmich to applause from several hundred faculty members. "That dedication has made my work easier and I thank you here for your support."

President Kimmich’s remarks echoed his January letter to CUNY Chancellor Matthew J. Goldstein, which stated his intention to retire in summer 2009. Dramatic improvements in campus technology, major fund-raising successes, and the commitment of $400 million in public and private funds to capital projects that include the West Quad building, which is nearing completion, and the new performing arts center, for which groundbreaking is imminent, were among the tangible successes cited.

He also spoke to the intention of the University to accomplish a rapid but thoughtful search for his successor.

"The search for a new president for Brooklyn College is underway. The chancellor intends to have someone in office by the fall," President Kimmich said. "Members of the search committee, as you know, visited the campus last week and listened to you and other representatives of the campus community as you spoke about the College and the kind of leadership it should have."