President Fitzgibbons letter to community on his resignation
After careful consideration and prayerful discernment, I am reaching out to let you know of my intention to resign as President of Regis University effective December 31, 2021. After a month’s hiatus, I will rededicate my energy and time to building and fortifying donor relationships to benefit the success of our Manifest Magis comprehensive campaign. My last day with Regis University will be June 1, 2022. I did not arrive at this decision hastily or lightly. With the gracious and compassionate counsel of my Cabinet and the Board of Trustees, I realized with great clarity and conviction that this rededication of purpose will contribute directly and meaningfully to our University’s certain future. The Board of Trustees is actively working to identify and name an Interim President after Thanksgiving and prior to Winter Break. Our Chair, Bob Engel, will also share with you the Board’s plans and timeline for a national search for the next President. It has been a blessing and an honor to serve as your President since 2012. I have gained and learned much from you. I have had the pleasure of teaching and leading at several Jesuit, Catholic universities and have served as a Trustee for several others. There is nothing to compare to the Regis University community. We have weathered a few storms together and have celebrated key wins and milestones. I carry you in my heart and daily prayers now and always. I welcome your prayers for me as I transition my current responsibilities to an Interim President and plan for and fulfill my new responsibilities with our donors and the campaign. I am especially grateful to you and to Regis University this Thanksgiving and I look forward to celebrating the Christmas season with you. Gratefully,
Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.President
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Presidential Transition
November 2021
Why is the President resigning in the middle of the academic and fiscal year?
Fr. Fitzgibbons has made the conscious and careful decision to resign mid-year in order to dedicate his time in the spring to the public phase of our Manifest Magis comprehensive campaign. Ms. Myrna Hall, our Vice President of Advancement, is retiring on December 31, 2021. Ms. Abby Palsic has been named Interim Vice President of Advancement. Regis University is initiating a national search for the permanent Vice President of Advancement. It is common for colleges and universities to ramp up both their focus and their resources during public campaigns. Fr. Fitzgibbons is stepping up to support Ms. Palsic and the Board of Trustees for the future and success of our campaign.
Fr. Fitzgibbons is resigning as President effective December 31, 2021. After a brief hiatus, he will commit his time and energy to connecting with donors and friends of Regis University relative to the campaign. He will retire from Regis University effective June 1, 2022. Fr. Fitzgibbons will work with leaders in the Society of Jesus to identify and secure his next mission and servant leader role after his retirement from Regis University.
The Board of Trustees, faculty, students, alumni, donors and friends of Regis University will celebrate in gratitude Fr. Fitzgibbons’ contributions as President leading up to and during commencement exercises in April and May 2022.
Notes of gratitude can be directed to Fr. Fitzgibbons at president@regis.edu or 3333 Regis Boulevard, B-4, Denver, CO 80221-1099. Any donations in Fr. Fitzgibbons honor may be directed to the Presidential Merit Endowed Scholarship fund by contacting Abby Palsic, incoming Interim VP of Advancement, at apalsic@regis.edu or 303-458-4202.
The Board of Trustees is actively working to identify and name an Interim President between Thanksgiving and the start of Winter Break. The Board of Trustees will next turn their attention to initiating a national search to find the next President with a goal to announce before the Fall term in 2022.
Will the faculty and staff have a say in who will lead Regis University?
The faculty and staff will play a significant role, in partnership with the Board of Trustees and following a national search, to vet and name the next President for Regis University. The Board of Trustees, with great love and care for Regis University, will take the lead role in identifying and naming the next President.
Ms. Myrna Hall is retiring from Regis University effective December 31, 2021. Other than the known national search for a VP of Advancement, no additional senior administrative or structural changes are planned at this time.
No. Fr. Fitzgibbons feels that the enrollment, retention and graduation strategies we are adopting are the right solutions at the right time. Further, Fr. Fitzgibbons and the Board of Trustees feel confident that this presidential change will signal new thinking and further positive outcomes. While our financial situation ebbs and flows with our enrollment and retention, our operations, investments and financial reputation are sound and secure. If anything, Fr. Fitzgibbons’ elevated focus on the comprehensive campaign will improve Regis University’s position and future.
What should we do if we are contacted by the media or community member?
On behalf of Fr. Fitzgibbons and the Board of Trustees, we ask that you handle any external outreach accordingly. Please refer all media inquiries to Todd Cohen, AVP of Marketing and Communications. Please refer community inquiries to Jenna Farley, Director of Community Relations.
Todd Cohen
Jenna Farley