My Decision To Retire

On January 24 I announced to the trustees of Greenville College
a decision that my wife Joanna
and I have thoughtfully and
prayerfully considered for several months. I asked the board to begin the selection process for a new president. I believe now is the strategic time for the board to begin a transition that will put in place the person who will lead Greenville College into the next century.

I told the board I was not asking, necessarily, for a rushed process. I am willing to continue in my position for a year or more, if this would be in the best interest of the college. I said I would be willing to retire anytime after June 30, 1998 if that seemed right.

Recently while driving home from Champaign, Illinois, I decided to take some time to write down a few words of explanation.

The opening lines of the news release that went out said, "Citing his strong desire for the college to have a smooth and positive leadership transition, Dr. Robert E. Smith announced his intention to retire as president of Greenville College." This is the real story!

When I accepted the presidency in 1993, I had no doubt that God was leading me, and today I feel similarly concerning the decision to retire. I am very thankful for numerous gains that have been made during these past five years, and for the marvelous cooperation I have been afforded. I am also aware I am leaving my successor some very challenging issues, but I believe he or she can and will provide visionary leadership as Greenville College enters the 21st century.

As I look at the future challenges, it seems that my gifts, strengths, and styles would not bring optimal leadership help in the key areas of business, finance, pricing, and scholarship issues facing the college. I want to make it clear that my decision to retire has been made looking forward at the future needs, not backward at anything that has happened here.

As I have watched the recent national television coverage of the investigations surrounding the Clinton presidency, it made me want to be even more forthright and answer questions that you may not be asking, but some may. Let me assure you that:

1. Retirement is in no way related to my health. Yes, I am tired, and yes, I have felt constant pressure in this job. But the same could certainly be said for many who are reading this article. Those factors are not primary in my decision-making.

2. No pressure has been put on me to retire early. This is completely my decision as I have thought and prayed with Joanna. Certainly I did not please all of the people all of the time, but everyone with whom I have talked has been very understanding as to why I feel the need to retire. Many have encouraged me to stay as long as I felt I could. Chairman Craig Tidball and the other three officers of the board, and all members of the Executive Committee of the board, were very understanding, and generous in their words of commendation, but helpful in moving forward with a plan for selecting the 10th president of Greenville College.

3. Do I have plans to go elsewhere and work? No! Like my predecessor, Dr. W. Richard Stephens, I will clear out for a few months when the new president assumes his or her position. After that, I will be glad to help the college in any way the new president or the board would ask of me. Greenville College has been, is, and always will be my life.

4. Am I worried about being a "lame duck?" No, but I am aware that the college will continue to require 100 percent of my strength, time, and effort for as long as I am president, and that is what I will give. Greenville College cannot afford a lame duck period of time. I know it, my cabinet knows it, our employees know it, and you know it.

Please continue faithfully to pray for and support the college as you have done in the past. It goes without saying, but you all know that Greenville College is not mine. It is bigger than any one person. It is God's work, and He has asked us all to be good stewards.

My hope, prayer, and expectations are that all of us--alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty, and staff--will accept this announcement and get right back to the job of supporting Greenville College. It is my desire that I will be able to turn over the reigns in a few months to a new president with the college being considerably stronger than it is even now.

Will you help me make this possible? I know you will.