Suffolk University on Wednesday announced James McCarthy would no longer act as president of the university, just days before the start of the fall semester, officials said.
The university’s board of trustees unanimously elected Dr. Norman R. Smith as the university’s interim president, to begin on Sept. 1, according to a statement from the university through Paula Gates of Regan Communications. McCarthy is leaving to pursue business and consulting opportunities.
McCarthy was paid a total sum of $544,614 for the July 2012 to June 2013 year, according to a document obtained by the Journal. David Sargent, who preceded McCarthy, had been paid more than $1 million.
The announcement of a new president falls at an interesting time for Suffolk, months after a change in tenure policy and also after the sale of one of its Beacon Hill classroom buildings. It also comes as the university’s construction of the state-of-the-art 20 Somerset building takes off.
Smith, 68, is the former president of Dowling College in New York, according to the statement from Gates.
News of McCarthy’s sudden leave came as a surprise to students, including Student Government Association President Tyler LeBlanc.
“I had no idea. I was kind of shocked,” LeBlanc, a senior, said of Smith’s appointment. However, LeBlanc said a review of Smith’s tenure at other universities makes him a promising fit for Suffolk.
Smith, who is credited with the impressive transformation of Wagner College, also in New York, will help Suffolk “reach the next level of excellence,” officials believe.
“We are both excited and fortunate to have Dr. Smith leading Suffolk University during this critical period,” Andrew Meyer, Chairman, Suffolk University board of trustees, said in a statement. “Our actively engaged board members gave close examination to the issues facing the university and our most valued assets – our students – and we believe that Dr. Smith is the right choice at the right time.
LeBlanc praised McCarthy’s involvement and frequent interaction with students, and does not expect any less from Smith.
“Hopefully he brings whatever the board of trustees wants,” LeBlanc said. “As crazy as it is, it’s exciting.”
The interim president’s experience at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University has given him an extensive knowledge of the Boston area, officials said. Suffolk students often refer to the downtown area as its nontraditional “campus” and sometimes compare the Boston Common to a typical college’s quad.
Students received a message from the university regarding the decision around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
“President McCarthy and the Board of Trustees have agreed that the time is right to transition to new presidential leadership,” the statement to students said. “We are both excited and fortunate to have Dr. Smith lead Suffolk University during this critical period.”
Smith is the author of two books and has also worked with the Founding Chancellorship of Alamein University in Egypt.
Stay with the Journal as we update this story.
