Purdue president announces resignation

IU's search for for its next president got more crowded Friday as Purdue University President Martin C. Jischke announced his retirement and said emphatically he will not consider being a candidate for the IU position. Jischke, whose leadership greatly expanded Purdue's fund raising and research capacities, said he will step down effective June 30, 2007. \n"I feel very good right now," Jischke said. "I have absolutely loved every minute of my time at Purdue. I feel very good about what we've been able to accomplish and I'm excited for things we still have to do." \nJichke said after he finishes out his last year in his position, he will be taking a year off before he decides what he will do next. However, he said he does not wish to take on another role as president of a university and will not seek IU President Adam Herbert's position when his contract expires in 2008. \n"That part of my life has come to a close," he said Friday. \nIU trustee president Stephen Ferguson said the University has been aware that this was probably going to be Jischke's decision and he said this will only add to the mix of major universities looking for presidents.\n"This increases the competition (for us) of the people who are available," Ferugson said. "Along with Iowa and Ohio Sate, which I understand will be doing presidential searches as well, there are several going on right now. From what I understand in the next few years every university in the Big Ten will see (leadership) turnovers." Trustee Sue Talbot, who is serving as the presidential search chairwoman, said the fact that two major research universities in the same state are going to be looking for a president at the same time is interesting, but she said she doesn't think it will affect IU's search all that much.\n"IU and Purdue have much different profiles," Talbot said. "So they will probably looking for a president who won't fit with us. I don't see this as a conflict at all."\nDuring his six-year tenure at Purdue, Jischke's was praised for his leadership skills as he raised the university's profile by carrying out his strategic plan to dramatically increase the number of faculty positions and strengthen the infrastructure and capabilities of the university. In doing so he created the largest fund raising effort ever by an Indiana university, with a goal of obtaining $1.5 billion. \n"This has been an enormously positive experience for me," he said. "The thing I feel best about is our goal with the strategic plan to take Purdue to the next level. I think we've done that and have developed and executed those plans." \nThe announcement is not unexpected as Jischke, who turns 65 Monday, previously agreed to Purdue's standing rule that no one in an executive role can serve past 65. Ferguson said IU shares the maximum age requirement for those serving as president, but said they can still stay on with the University past that age, just not in the executive role. He added there are exceptions to this, as the board of trustees can waive the age requirement.\n"Historically both in business and universities, there has been the feeling 65 is sort of a magic number," Ferguson said. "It doesn't apply to everyone, some are still very active at 65. The board reviewed (the age maximum) a few years ago and we decided to leave it as is."\nFerguson said age factors cannot be considered a factor in the upcoming presidential search, but he said this was an issue of discussion when Herbert was selected. \nTalbot said when they will be looking at candidates, age will not be as large as a factor as is academic leadership and experience.\n"We still look into the factor of age," she said. "We tend to try to find someone who is not necessarily at the end of their academic career, but overall we just want the very best."\nWhile Jischke came into his position at a relatively late age in his academic career, he still quickly became a favorite by many with his ambitious goals and by meeting with state business and government leaders constantly to figure out better ways to enhance Purdue's relationship with Indiana. \n"Martin Jischke's presidency has been an unqualified success," said Tim McGinley, chairman of Purdue's board of trustees, in a statement. "Purdue is a much better university today than it was when he accepted the job, and it is positioned for continued improvement. Martin is a gifted leader who has spent long hours every day working to achieve our goals. He has taken Purdue to new levels of excellence and has raised the university's profile nationally and internationally, as well as in Indiana. The trustees are deeply grateful to him and his wife, Patty, for their contributions."\nLeaving Purdue, Jischke said he does not have any regrets during his stay as president but he still hopes Purdue finds ways to improve after he leaves. \n"Part of the magic of a great university is that it is never completed," he said. "It is a process of change and growth, so you never really come to the end of age of a great university. For Purdue there will always be more ways to improve and more to do. I leave having accomplished a great deal, but always there remains a great deal to accomplish"