Administration

Communications

President William Fox to Leave Culver-Stockton
Thursday, November 20, 2008

CANTON, Mo. –The Board of Trustees of Culver-Stockton College announced today (Thursday, November 20) that Dr. William L. Fox has been selected to become the president of St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., effective July 1, 2009. Located in upstate New York, St Lawrence University is a coeducational residential university with 2,200 undergraduate students. Dr. Fox is a 1975 graduate of St Lawrence and is slated to replace President Daniel F. Sullivan who is retiring in June.

Fox has served Culver-Stockton for six years. He has been responsible for Culver-Stockton’s improved financial performance and reputation (the college has moved up 14 places in the U.S. News & World Report rankings over the past two years). The college has also had improved results in all categories of fundraising, with the annual fund doubling in size over his tenure, and has made major investments in capital improvements including new buildings, a new track and field facility, and substantial interior upgrades. In 2008, Culver-Stockton introduced EXP@CSC, an innovative curriculum that makes the college unique in the Midwest region. An online learning program, Connected Campus, was launched in 2005. Fox has also led the development of the college’s 10-year strategic plan and 20-year campus master plan.

“We are saddened to lose Bill and Lynn Fox, said Donald Gnuse, chairman of the Culver-Stockton Board of Trustees. “We wish them great success in this exciting new adventure at Bill’s alma mater. We are grateful for six years of dedicated service and the work Bill and Lynn have done to move the college into a new era.”

“Bill has been a strong leader on this campus, and we will miss him,” said R. Joseph Dieker, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “He has stamped his vision on this campus through the changes he has implemented here, and we will reap the benefits of his leadership for many years.”

“More than a simple attachment to Culver-Stockton and Canton, Lynn and I know the true ‘mystic chords’ of love for the town and its college on the Hill. Only St. Lawrence could have convinced us to move,” said Dr. Fox. “St. Lawrence captured my imagination more than 30 years ago when I became a more confident, curious, and disciplined student and made lifelong friendships. Culver-Stockton alumni understand this kind of connection because they, too, belong to their college for their entire lives, no matter where they end up living.”

The Culver-Stockton board will immediately begin a process to identify a new president. A search committee will be created with the goal of naming a replacement by the time of Fox’s departure, June 30, 2009.

“C-SC has a solid vision for the future as evidenced in its strategic plan, its recently completed campus master plan, and the new and innovative curriculum called EXP@CSC,” said Gnuse. "One of Bill's greatest accomplishments is that he has built a strong and gifted leadership team at Culver-Stockton. The strength of the team means that during the presidential transition we will be able to fully and effectively pursue all of the goals we have for the college."

Dr. Fox will very actively continue to lead the college in the months ahead.

“We have a full agenda, with many exciting days ahead of us,” Fox said. “There’s a considerable amount of work to do between now and June.”