President
of Mount St. Mary's College
and Seminary Announces Retirement
After
almost a decade, Mount St. Mary’s
College and Seminary President, George R.
Houston, Jr., has announced that he will
retire effective June 30, 2003. President
Houston was the Mount’s 23rd president
since the college and seminary was founded
in 1808.
A
Washington, D.C. native, Houston is an
alumnus of Georgetown University, where he
spent over three decades as a faculty
member and an administrator before
assuming the role of president at the
Mount.
His
reputation coming to the Mount was
unparalleled. As a teacher he was awarded
an honorary degree by Georgetown in 1982
and named School of Business’s
Distinguished Professorship in Accounting
in 1991. As an administrator he was
treasurer, vice president for financial
affairs, senior vice president and
managing director of Georgetown’s
endowment fund. With all these
qualifications, Houston was able to make
tremendous strides in the Mount’s
financial base while president.
President
Houston stated that his decision was not
easily made and was a result of much
reflection and prayer. In an interview he
explained "As I look ahead at my
future and the future of the Mount, I see
this is the right time for us to part
ways." He further explained that in
2004 the Mount will begin the leadership
phase of its Bicentennial Campaign, and
then in 2005 both the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education and the
National Collegiate Athletic Association
will be sending teams for the school’s
ten-year reviews. "In preparation for
these studies and the Bicentennial
Celebration, the Mount will have to
prepare self-studies, including a new
five-year plan during the fiscal year
ending 2004. This should be completed by
the next president."
Throughout
the years Houston has kept true to his
initial agenda and three focal points for
his agenda as president. He has been one
of the most accessible president’s the
Mount community has had. In an average
year President Houston entertained over
3,000 guests in his private residence
annually, ranging from prospective
students and their parents, faculty,
current students, alumni and friends of
the Mount.
The
following is partial list of Houston’s
accomplishments since 1994:
- Developed
a strategic five-year plan for the
college and seminary
- Implemented
shared governance structure
- Strengthened
Catholic identity, financial base, and
academic programs
- Successfully
completed largest campaign in Mount
history, raising $39 million
- Constructed
McGowan Center, a major renovation of
existing Cogan Student Union building
- Constructed
Bishop John R. Keating Hall, a major
addition to the seminary
- Renovated
the Coad Science Building
- Developed
external programs - weekend college,
accelerated degree completion program,
accelerated MBA
- Increased
applicant pool and stable
undergraduate enrollment
- Served
as president, Frederick County Chamber
of Commerce
- Served
on Maryland Chamber of Commerce
- Served
on Maryland Spending Affordability
Committee
- President,
Northeast Conference, NCAA
- Increased
the endowment by over 140%
- Balanced
budgets
- Developed
Emmitsburg Community Social Club
"The
Mount community has been blessed with
President Houston for nine years. He has
made the Mount his life and we have all
benefited. He will be sadly missed, but
has established a foundation and momentum
that will keep the Mount on the right path
as we approach our 200th
anniversary," commented Mount St.
Mary’s Board of Trustees Chairman, John
Walsh.
President
Houston has made an indelible impression
on Mount St. Mary’s College
and
Seminary, members of the Mount community,
and the surrounding areas. Throughout the
coming year he will continue his duties as
college and seminary president, as well as
assist the Board of Trustees in a national
search for his successor.
Today the
Board of Trustees accepted President
Houston’s early retirement. Cardinal
William H. Keeler, Mount Board member and
long time friend of President Houston
stated, "George Houston, a friend for
more than 23 years, has brought great
energy and extraordinary leadership
qualities to his work as president of
Mount St. Mary’s College and Seminary.
From the moment of his assuming office, he
has been so wonderfully supportive of our
seminary program and has helped the whole
Mount family better appreciate and deepen
the strong Catholic identity that is our
heritage. We thank the Lord that, having
brought Mount St. Mary’s to new levels
of achievement, President Houston will
continue to guide our venerable Mount for
more than a year to come."
As he
addressed the Mount community regarding
his decision to retire, President Houston
reiterated, "This was not an easy
decision to make for I have come to love
this old house and you who make it what it
is."
Read
other stories on Mt. St. Mary