St. Joseph's University President Rev. Nicholas Rashford announced Tuesday that he will leave office next year.
Rashford, who has headed the Jesuit university for over 16 years, will not step down for another year and a half, partly to allow time for the university's trustees to search for his successor.
"It was the end of his term, and I think he felt it was time to do something different," said Gregory Dell'Omo, the assistant vice president for academic affairs at St. Joe's. "We will start the search process soon, in a month or so, and probably select a replacement next winter."
Rashford, 62, has said that he is stepping down because the university's upcoming fundraising campaign is in the planning stages, and because his successor will need to fill a major vacancy left in the St. Joe's administration. St. Joe's Executive Vice President Daniel Curran was just named the new president of the University of Dayton.
Rashford also has Parkinson's disease, which could become a major problem for him in the future, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday.
A graduate of St. Louis University, Rashford came to St. Joe's from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Mo., where he was dean of the School of Management for three years.
At St. Joe's, Rashford is credited with greatly improving the infrastructure and image of the university. Under his administration, more than $40 million has been spent on campus expansion and beautification.
"He brought the university into the future," Dell'Omo said.
One of Rashford's major focuses was improving technology and creating better facilities, with the completion of the $25 million Owen A. Mandeville Hall, which houses the St. Joe's School of Business, as the most recent project.
Another of Rashford's key achievements was the creation of several international programs, namely in China, Italy, Germany and Ireland, that expanded the number of international students at the university.
"He really loves being a part of St. Joe's," Dell'Omo said, adding that Rashford brought a personal touch to his post through his love of photography.
"He can always be seen walking around campus with his camera," Dell'Omo said. "It's his way of connecting with everyone -- the students, faculty and the alumni."
While he will be leaving the presidency, Rashford still plans to stay on at the University to teach.
"That's his true love," according to Dell'Omo.
"He's always been a visionary," Dell'Omo said. "He's the kind of guy that comes up with unique ideas and who always thinks outside of the box. We'll really miss that; that'll be hard to replace."
Rashford also brought his personal touch -- and love of Ireland, where he holds dual citizenship -- to the city of Philadelphia. Along with former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, he is the co-chairman of an organization working to build an Irish memorial commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Great Hunger in Ireland at Penn's Landing.
