April 22, 2024
Dear Members of the Gonzaga University Community,
Earlier today, President Thayne McCulloh announced that this coming academic year (2024-25) will be his last as president at Gonzaga University.
President McCulloh has made extraordinary contributions, not only to Gonzaga, but to higher education, during his 33 years at GU. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I've had the privilege to witness the steadfast leadership our president provided during some of Gonzaga's best times as well as some of its most challenging ones. He has been a tireless champion of Gonzaga locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, and with every constituency. His commitment to advancing the Catholic and Jesuit mission, effective collaboration, academic excellence, student success, shared governance, fundraising, and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for faculty, staff, and students has been foundational and instrumental to our success.
It is thus with reluctance that the Board has accepted notice of Dr. McCulloh's decision to retire in the summer of 2025. I share with my fellow Trustees deep gratitude that we have one more year to benefit from his wisdom, leadership, and service to the institution. While leadership transitions inevitably bring forth questions about what the future holds, the Board unequivocally believes that Thayne's leadership has played a significant role in positioning the university for greater success and opportunity going forward.
The Board is also grateful that we have an opportunity for the search process to begin this Spring. After soliciting requests for proposals from eight (8) search firms, the Board has selected the firm of Russell Reynolds Associates to assist the search committee in its process. In the coming week, I will appoint a search committee comprised of representatives from the Trustees, Regents, Faculty, Student body, Staff, Jesuit Community and Administration. In the coming days and after these appointments have been made, I will deliver a follow-up message, together with additional information regarding listening sessions our search consultants will conduct prior to the end of the current academic year.
Next year, as the time of retirement draws closer, we will create opportunities to celebrate the many contributions of President McCulloh. In the meantime, there is much yet to be done; the Board and president have already discussed a set of priorities to pursue in the coming year. I therefore ask for your continued commitment to the success of the University, and our search process, through your ongoing support of President McCulloh and his administration in the coming months and academic year to follow.
With deepest gratitude,
Christy M. Larsen (BA '88)
Chair, Board of Trustees