Elizabethtown College’s Board of Trustees today announced the decision by Cecilia M. McCormick to resign as the College’s president, effective Dec. 31, 2021. McCormick cited the time requirements associated with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic during her 2.5-year tenure and her desire to focus on her personal and family life.

“While I am deeply honored and grateful to serve the Elizabethtown College community as its president, I have made the difficult decision to step down,” McCormick said. “I am proud of the work we have done to keep our college community safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, like so many others among us, the pandemic has also reinforced for me the importance of prioritizing what’s most important in our lives. As we start a new year, and with the college on strong footing, I believe this is the right decision for me and my family.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Cecilia for her service to our college and our community,” said P. Edward (Ed) Lovelidge ’82, Chair of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees. “Under Cecilia’s leadership, the college has achieved record enrollment, exceeded fundraising goals, and transformed the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. We recognize the immense pressure and time commitment that the pandemic has added to the role of the college president, and we respect Cecilia’s decision to focus on her personal and family life.”

McCormick has served as the college’s 15th, and first female, president since July 1, 2019.

McCormick, College Administration Successfully Led Institution through COVID-19 Pandemic with In-Person Classes for Past Three Semesters

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Elizabethtown College to transition to remote learning and working. The college has been able to successfully return to in-person classes since the fall 2020 semester, with measures in place to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Lovelidge said the Board is committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition and will announce interim leadership soon. The Board will also begin the presidential search process, which will likely take several months to complete.

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