MADISON — As a crowded Anderson Auditorium on the Edgewood College campus waited on September 10 for the day’s “major announcement,” school President Dr. Dan Carey stepped behind the podium.
With a tone of gratitude to the entire college, Carey announced he will retire from his position at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.
Carey said it is a time to “transition to meaningful work” at an age when he is still healthy.
He thanked the Sinsinawa Dominicans, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students for all their help in the successes of Edgewood College during his time there.
“Today is the perfect opportunity to thank the entire Edgewood College community for the many significant achievements of the past decade,” Carey said. “I am deeply indebted to the dedicated Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and strong leadership team. The challenges we met and the success the college has seen are not mine. They belong to the entire Edgewood College community. For that I am very grateful.”
Carey also expressed his gratefulness that the college has embraced its “mission to serve all students,” from a varying degree of social and economic backgrounds.
He also looked to the future, hoping for a “seamless transition,” and added “there is much we need to accomplish.” He said he hopes for a college that “continues to thrive.”
Looking ahead
His announcement was met with tears and a standing ovation from the crowd as he stepped away from the podium.
Other Edgewood officials then shared their reactions to the announcement and plans for the future of the college.
Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger of the Sinsinawa Dominicans said Carey’s time at the college was “all about relationships” and added his work made Edgewood College a “stronger Catholic institution.”
Jim Barr, chair of the Board of Trustees, spoke about the process to finding a new president.
He said Carey is a “model for what we should be seeking.”
Barr added he had an “overwhelming admiration for his [Carey’s] performance” and “replacing Dan will be difficult.”
The board will coordinate listening sessions on campus for faculty, staff, and students to begin the process of identifying Carey’s successor.
Jan Eddy, secretary of the Board of Trustees, will serve as the chair of the search committee.
Eddy said she hopes the new president will “take Edgewood College to even greater heights.”
She also said the committee will “take time to be reflective” to make the right decision in picking a new leader for the college.
She, like Carey, hoped for a “seamless and successful transition.”
Carey began his tenure as president in August of 2004. This is his 10th year as president of the college.
During his time at Edgewood College, the school also broke ground and built several new buildings, including Dominican Hall, the largest residence hall on campus, as well as a new visual and theater arts center and an expanded student dining area.
New academic programs added during Carey’s years include the Master of Science in accountancy, Master of Science in organizational development, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing, and the Doctor of nursing practice degree. In 2011 the college began offering classes online in some select graduate-level programs.