Seton Hall University President Jospeh Nyre announced Monday morning that he intends to take a sabbatical for the upcoming school year – and then will resign his position as head of the university upon his return.
Nyre had just completed the fourth year of his initial five-year contract.
The school confirmed his pending resignation Monday morning, but it did not offer details on an interim successor or plan for a search for a new president. Katia Passerini, who has served as the university’s provost and executive vice president since June 2020, seemingly would get strong consideration.
The Asbury Park Press, part of the USA Today national network, was the first to report Nyre’s pending departure.
In their story, fallout from the embezzlement of nearly $1 million at Seton Hall Law, was listed as a cause. Nyre was not implicated in the incident, but how the school was moving forward from it was said to be causing tension. ROI-NJ could not confirm these reports.
In an email to the Seton Hall community sent Monday morning, Nyre simply said the time is right for a change, noting that the school is close to completing its three-year strategic plan, Harvest Our Treasures.
“When I was recruited to Seton Hall in 2019, I outlined the need for a dynamic executive team; strategic plan created by a cross-section of the community; campus facilities plan to ground the University’s academic vision; and comprehensive advancement campaign to help fund it all,” he wrote.
“I am extremely proud of the significant progress and fulfillment that has occurred in each of these areas. Yet these are not my achievements alone, but accomplishments shared by our entire community that have elevated Seton Hall over the past four years.”
Seton Hall Board Chair Hank D’Alessandro, in a note to the university community, thanked Nyre for his service.
“He led us through COVID-19 while continuing to advance and achieve vital strategic goals, helping the university avoid the pandemic paralysis that became commonplace across much of
U.S. higher education,” D’Allessandro wrote. “His leadership resulted in great strides across nearly every aspect of the Seton Hall experience, including enrollment and retention, academics, student services, affordability, campus buildings and fundraising.
“If the measure of a great leader is leaving a place better than he or she found it, then President Nyre’s legacy is assured.”
Nyre listed many of his accomplishments in his note, including increased retention and graduation as well as the most-qualified freshman classes in school history.
The school also underwent many improvements, including a transformation of the University Center and renovated Boland, Jubilee and Fahy Halls.
It recently approved funding for the new basketball practice facility.
Seton Hall also has had record fund raising during his tenure, including a $500,000 donation by Nyre and his wife, Kelli Nyre.
Nyre, who has hired by Seton Hall in 2019 after eight years as the president of Iona University, said he will help however he can in the search for his successor.
“It is important that Seton Hall has the time it needs to conduct a thorough search for its 22nd President, an effort that will begin immediately,” he said. “As the appointed senior advisor to the university, I have pledged my cooperation in assisting with the search for a new President and with making myself available as a resource for the interim president during my sabbatical.”
Nyre told the community he will look back fondly at his time at the school, noting the achievements and milestones were reached collectively.
