Dear members of the Bryn Mawr College community:

Yesterday at the faculty meeting I announced my intention to retire both from the presidency and from the faculty on June 30, 2008. I do so with great pride in all we have accomplished together, and an intense awareness of what remains to be done in my remaining 17 months. While this may seem an unusually long notice, it allows us to follow responsibly and thoughtfully the procedures for creating the presidential search committee set out in the new Plan of Governance, and enables the College to begin the search process at the most opportune moment in the calendar year.

Let me assure you that there will be no diminution of my efforts. Far from it. I am committed to two major endeavors that will strengthen Bryn Mawr for the long term. The first is to complete the Challenging Women campaign. We have raised $198.6 million thus far, and, with a mighty effort, will make our ambitious goal of $225 million by the campaign end date of Dec. 31, 2007.

The second major endeavor to which I am committed is the work of the Task Force on Balancing the Mission and Resources of the College. It is essential that we continue to move this important undertaking forward, and to create for Bryn Mawr some institutional decision-making processes that allow us to make choices collegially, thoughtfully and strategically. Such processes are critical to Bryn Mawr's long-term competitiveness.

While these areas require my effort to succeed, many other initiatives led by members of the administrative staff will continue as planned.

I urge you to respond to the call to contribute to the search for a new president. You have an important role in this process. Think about what lies before Bryn Mawr and what qualities its leader will need to handle the challenges ahead, and take the time to voice your thoughts when the search committee asks for them.

It is a great privilege to work on behalf of the extraordinarily dedicated and talented people who make up the Bryn Mawr community. I am honored to be your leader in Bryn Mawr's noble mission, and I ask your continued support as we move through this transitional period.

Cordially,

Nancy J. Vickers
President