President Gibralter Leaving Frostburg State University for Wells College Presidency

President Jonathan Gibralter will leave Frostburg State University on June 30, 2015 to become the 19th President of Wells College in Aurora, New York. The announcement was made in an email to faculty, staff, and students.

“While I am looking forward to this next challenge, I want you to know that the past 8 ½ years at Frostburg have truly been the very best of my professional life. From the first time I set foot on the campus in March of 2006, I knew what a special place this was and have been very proud and honored to be your president,” wrote Gibralter.

An interim president will be announced on July 1, 2015 by Board of Regents Chancellor William Kirwan.

In his email, Gibralter highlighted the successes and triumphs of his tenure at FSU, including increased enrollment, improved retention and graduation rates, new academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and the university’s first-ever applied doctoral program. FSU’s facilities also saw significant improvements as many buildings on campus underwent renovations, and some buildings were added. He added that FSU’s reputation as a party school has diminished, making way for the university’s new tagline: “One University. A World of Experiences.”

“The most important thing I want to say is that I feel I am leaving FSU as a stronger university poised for greatness. I believe if you hold the course and continue to move in the direction we have started together, the future is in your hands,” wrote Gibralter.

Gibralter made an announcement on Wells College’s website, and sent a message to faculty, staff, and students through a video.

“Let me begin by thanking the Board of Trustees for appointing me as the 19th president of Wells College. I also want to thank the many faculty, staff, students, members of the local community, board members, and alumni who came to the interviews to help me better understand the culture and the history of Wells College,” said Gibralter in the video.

“In particular, thank you all for sharing with me the enormous potential that Wells College has moving into the future. I look forward to meeting you all, and when I arrive on July 1, I want you to know that my door will be open, and I look forward to opportunities to discuss your vision so we can develop a collective vision for the future. Thank you again, and I really am enormously grateful to be your next president.”

Wells College is a private, coeducational, residential liberal arts college, founded in 1898 and located in Aurora, New York. The College enrolls approximately 600 students.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.