Trustees Name McIntyre CWU President Emerita

September 12, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. --Central Washington University's Board of Trustees has granted President Jerilyn S. McIntyre emeritus status upon her retirement at the end of this year. McIntyre will hold the title President Emerita beginning January 2009.

In university tradition, the emeritus recognition is an honorary designation sometimes added to academic and other titles after a person has retired, as a matter of respect to for a job well done. Emeritus faculty continue to contribute to the research and service of the university.

"Our emeritus faculty enrich the academic and intellectual culture of the university," said Sid Morrison, chair of the CWU Board of Trustees. "We look forward to Dr. McIntyre's continued contributions to the university community."

Like other emeritus faculty, McIntyre may use university library and office facilities after she retires on Dec. 31, 2008. If she chooses, she may teach, conduct research, and participate in any of the university's myriad activities. The search for CWUs next president is on schedule with phone interviews scheduled for next week. However McIntyre has agreed to stay on as president if the university has not identified a replacement or if the chosen candidate arrives later than Jan. 1. Should that occur, her emeritus designation will take effect after she retires as president.

"I'm pleased the board has granted me emeritus status so that I may continue to be a part of this remarkable institution," said McIntyre. "I want to continue to contribute to the success of CWU and look forward to working with our strong and supportive board, and Central's able leadership team."

McIntyre, CWU's 13th president and the first woman to hold that office, has led the university through a period of unprecedented growth in enrollment. The student body also has become more diverse, with the percentage of students of color rising from 12.9 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in fall 2007.

Over the last seven years construction and renovation projects have transformed CWU's residential campus in Ellensburg and have energized programs at state-of-the-art facilities at Central's six university centers, located on community college campuses throughout Washington. The Music Building and the Student Union and Recreation Center, funded and constructed during McIntyre's tenure, have been recognized with national architectural awards. During this period, the university also completed extensive renovation and restoration of the historic Kamola and Sue Lombard residence halls.

McIntyre has supported upgrades in the quality of the university's publications and outreach activities. In 2003 she launched an updated marketing plan to enhance communication with students, parents and the general public. The Performing Arts and Presidential Speaker Series, which McIntyre initiated in 2001, has brought nationally renowned speakers and artists to Ellensburg, providing a window through which to view various ideas, cultures and art forms. McIntyre has encouraged excellence and creativity through the Spheres of Distinction initiative, which supports innovative and resourceful approaches to academic, student and campus life.

Under McIntyre's leadership, the university began its first comprehensive fund-raising campaign and exceeded its $21-million goal last June for a total of $21.7 million. In addition, funding associated with grants and research has tripled since 2001. McIntyre also proposed and won support from the Board of Trustees for the creation of the CWU Research Foundation. The foundation will enable the university to manage the significant increase in research funding and to use its expertise to serve the community in a more agile and responsive way.

Media Contact: Becky Watson, CWU Public Relations and Marketing, 509-963-1117, bwatson@cwu.edu.

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place-bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO/Title IX Institution.