By SUNSHINE OSELLA
Features Editor
After many years of dedicated service to The College of Saint Rose, President R. Mark Sullivan will be stepping down in August 2012. Since 1996, when Sullivan began his term as President of Saint Rose, the college has seen many extraordinary, positive changes.
“Dr. Sullivan has been the perfect president for Saint Rose…He has helped us grow in the number of students on campus and in the fantastic growth in the buildings and beauty of our campus. He has been a great leader for Saint Rose.” said Rev. Christopher DeGiovine, Dean of Spiritual Life and Chaplain.
Since 1996, Saint Rose has transformed into a rapidly growing college with over 5,000 students. The freshman class size increased from 333 to 600, almost doubling in the last 15 years. This is due, in large part, to the strong leadership of Sullivan. Marcus Buckley, Vice President of Finance and Administration, said that the growth of the college’s academic stature and its recognition as a selective institution are all direct offshoots of the President’s work over the years.
“I am most proud of the fact that when students talk to me at the end of their career here, or when they are out in the working world or graduate school, they invariably will tell me that they can compete with any graduate from anywhere,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said that over the last fifteen years the college has put in over a million dollars’ worth of structural changes. These include new academic buildings, such as the Massry Center, and new Athletic facilities, such as the Plumeri Sports Complex. These changes have, in turn, attracted over 50 new faculty members over the last decade.
Lisa Thomson, Assistant Vice President for Public Relations, said that for a small college someone is needed who can lead all aspects of a college and Sullivan is one of those multi-faceted people. Thomson, who has been working at Saint Rose since 1995, said, “The height of my career has been working for Dr. Sullivan. He is one of a kind.”
“The best day in a college president’s life is commencement because then I can see those couple thousand students come across the stage,” said Sullivan. “Obviously I don’t have a memory of every one of them, but for many of them I know how they’ve changed and I’ve seen them develop over four years or five years and that’s a good feeling.”
Sullivan is well respected and trusted by many members of the Saint Rose community. Karin Carr, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, said that she still remembers her first meeting with Sullivan for her interview. “The moment I met him [Sullivan], I knew this is where I wanted to be.” Carr said that she asked Sullivan how long he was planning to remain at Saint Rose because he was the main reason she wanted to take the job.
Sullivan and his wife, Kathy, are honorary Alums of Saint Rose. This is not an honor that is handed out lightly. This level of recognition speaks to the level of respect that Sullivan has earned. “I am struck by how many people know Sullivan, and how many people he knows by name,” said Carr.
“His [Sullivan’s] concern for all people stands out,” said Buckley. “It didn’t matter whether they were students, family members, alums, faculty, staff, politicians or community members; President Sullivan accorded them the kind of respect seldom seen these days.”
Sullivan said he plans to continue to be involved with Saint Rose after he steps down. “I will take a sabbatical and then I will return to the college and teach here in the school of education and possibly other courses as they develop,” said Sullivan. Sullivan said he and his wife will be attending as many events that they can possibly work into their calendars: concerts, athletic contests, student recitals, etc. “I want to continue to enjoy everything about this institution,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan’s plans for the future also include being involved in the discussion and solution of Urban Education. Sullivan said that it’s important to improve schools so young children can be prepared for college. Sullivan’s other interests include civic matters and community boards.
“President Sullivan was always insightful, and his ability to challenge those of us whom worked directly for him made us all better at what we do,” said Buckley. “His leadership permeated the College. He has set a high standard for all that we did, and his successor will find that the College is poised to move to the next level from a position of strength.”
