NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On Friday, the President of Fisk University announced her retirement. Hazel R. O'Leary had been with the University since 2004.
According to Fisk officials O'Leary will retire at the end of 2012.
O'Leary graduated from Fisk in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in history and economics before earning a law degree in 1966 from Rutgers University Law School.
For the past two years, she has been involved in a legal battle over whether the historically black university can sell a $30 million stake in an art collection donated to the school by the
late American artist Georgia O'Keeffe.
In Washington, O'Leary was the first woman and black to head the Energy Department.
"President O'Leary stands as one of the most accomplished American women of her generation. She served at Fisk during a difficult time in its history including cuts in student loans, a tightening of credit markets and a decline in new student enrollment. For eight years she has brought the needed vision, leadership and stability to enhance Fisk's position as a highly ranked liberal arts university," said Robert W. Norton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
O'Leary Statement about her retirement:
"Our work with the board, students, faculty, staff, and alumni to transform and grow Fisk using a metric based Strategic Plan has been rewarding. On a personal note, I am grateful to the Board for its advice, policy guidance, and resolve to measure outcomes, as well as, its deep commitment to Fisk during my tenure. Each member of the Fisk Family has contributed to our relentless quest for measurable improvement in our academic and student support programs. Our drive for continuous improvement has been daunted by our failure to increase new student enrollment during the economic downturn. In spite of that challenge, the public record indicates that Fisk has achieved top tier performance among liberal arts institutions in academics, student retention and engagement. While much remains to be done, I am confident that Fisk, the institution I love and have led these past eight years, is in better shape than when I arrived, and it will continue to enjoy a long and distinguished legacy."
