NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Fisk University President Hazel R. O'Leary will retire at the end of this year.
O'Leary, who graduated from Fisk in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in history and economics before earning a Juris Doctorate degree in 1966 from Rutgers University Law School, informed the Board of Trustees of her decision Thursday.
She has served as president of the historically black university since her appointment in August of 2004.
Before joining Fisk, O'Leary served as secretary of energy during President William J Clinton's first administration, was chief operating officer of an African American investment firm and held senior corporate positions in the energy sector.
"President O'Leary stands as one of the most accomplished American women of her generation," Robert W. Norton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said in a release. "She served at Fisk during a difficult time in its history including cuts in student loans, a tightening of credit markets and a decline in new student enrollment. For eight years she has brought the needed vision, leadership and stability to enhance Fisk's position as a highly ranked liberal arts university."
O'Leary said, in part, "Each member of the Fisk Family has contributed to our relentless quest for measurable improvement in our academic and student support programs. Our drive for continuous improvement has been daunted by our failure to increase new student enrollment during the economic downturn"
She continued, "While much remains to be done, I am confident that Fisk, the institution I love and have led these past eight years, is in better shape than when I arrived, and it will continue to enjoy a long and distinguished legacy."
The board said it planned to initiate a search immediately to ensure a smooth transition in replacing O'Leary.
