Northeastern's Ryder to Resign After 14 Years at School's Helm

The president of Northeastern University said this week that he plans to step down from the position which he has held for the past 14 years to assume the post of chancellor.

Kenneth Ryder, Northeastern's fourth president, said in an annual address that he would leave office as soon as a replacement could be found to take the university's helm. The outgoing president, who is widely looked upon as a national leader in education issues, said a search committee composed of faculty, students, administrators and alumni would soon seek his successor.

The 64 year-old Ryder, a Boston University graduate, has been president of Northeastern for the last 14 years. His association with the university began in 1949 when he joined the faculty as an instructor of history and government. Other positions he held before assuming the role of president include dean of administration, vice president for university administration and executive vice president.

In addition to his responsibilities at Northeastern, Ryder also belongs to several special committees active in higher education. Recently, Congress asked Ryder to participate on the National Commission on Student Financial Assistance, a special board which will probe the issue of federal funding for college students.

Ryder's decision to become chancellor after leaving the presidency follows a tradition set by the current chancellor, Asa Knowles, said Northeastern's Director of Public Relations Paul Jones. Knowles, who will become chancellor emeritus when Ryder officially takes the post, was also president before the Board of Trustees made him chancellor in 1975.

"I am announcing my intention to step down as president at this time because I want to provide the Board with ample time to orchestrate a smooth transition of leadership," Ryder said in a statement released by Northeastern.

The members of the presidential search committee will not be chosen until November, Northeastern officials said. But in addition to the 12-member search committee, Northeastern will also appoint a special committee of the Board of Trustees to aid in the presidential search.

The six trustees who will serve on the special committee will be chosen within the next week, officials said.

University spokesman Chris Mosher said that specifics of the search procedure could not be disclosed until after the formation of the special Board of Trustees committee. He also said that he could not estimate the amount of time needed to find Ryder's successor but added that the process would be completed as quickly as possible.

"It's important and imperative that we find a successor for Mr. Ryder. [The search] is definitely something that is a priority for the university," Mosher said.

Ryder is well respected by the members of the faculty and staff, according to Mosher. "He is one of the most outstanding presidents in America," Mosher said.