M E M O R A N D U M

      December 5, 2011

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Retirement of C. Peter Magrath as President of the State University of New York at Binghamton

Action Requested 

The proposed resolution acknowledges the service of Binghamton University President C. Peter Magrath on the occasion of his retirement from that position, effective December 31, 2011. 

Resolution

I recommend the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:
      
Whereas Dr. C. Peter Magrath provided outstanding and dedicated leadership during his tenure as interim president of Binghamton University from June 29, 2010 to April 18, 2011 and as president from April 18, 2011 to December 31, 2011; and 
      
Whereas, Dr. Magrath served impeccably during a time of remarkable transition for the University and brought a tremendous amount of stability to the institution; and
      
Whereas, Dr. Magrath’s dedication to the Binghamton University community his wise and steady counsel, his willingness to extend his time at Binghamton to allow for the most thorough search for its next president, and his invaluable leadership insights and style culminated in contributing immeasurably to SUNY’s growth and successes; now, therefore, be it




Resolved that the SUNY Board of Trustees wishes to express its deepest thanks to Dr. Magrath for his leadership and partnership, both second to none, and for his generosity of spirit and unforgettable contributions to supporting and invigorating the Binghamton campus and community. 

Background

	On June 29, 2010, I recommended your appointment of Dr. C. Peter Magrath as interim president of Binghamton University, a position he filled from June 29, 2010, to April 18, 2011. On that date in April I recommended that Dr. Magrath be appointed president of Binghamton University until December 31, 2011, in order to allow for maximum stability and fluid continuity on the campus during the continuation and conclusion of the search process for the University’s next president. Dr. Magrath, with his characteristic good nature, agreed to assume the presidency and stay on at Binghamton past his original set departure date. Dr. Magrath succeeded Dr. Lois DeFleur, who stepped down as president in June 2010. 

      Prior to his position as interim president at Binghamton University, Dr. Magrath served as interim president at West Virginia University between 2008 and 2009. Since 2006, he has been Senior Presidential Advisor at The College Board. From 1992 through 2005, he served as president of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (now the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, or APLU), a voluntary association of 212 public research universities located in all 50 states. 
      
      Prior to his work at the national level, Dr. Magrath was president of the University of Missouri System (1985-1991), University of Minnesota (1974-1984). Binghamton University (1972-1974), and served as interim chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1971-1972).
      
      Dr. Magrath is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of New Hampshire, where he earned his doctorate in and bachelor’s degrees, respectively, in political science. His scholarly interests include American government, higher education, international affairs.
Board Resolution0-2-0December 5, 2011