University of North Florida President John Delaney announced in a press release Monday he’s retiring from his position at the end of 2018.
The UNF Board of Trustees selected Delaney in the summer of 2003 and is the longest serving president in UNF history.
“Over the past 14 years, I’ve had the honor of working with a truly remarkable team of people committed to providing the highest quality education to our students and to making our region stronger,” said Delaney in an emailed statement. “Every time a student crosses the stage at commencement and I hand them their diploma, I recognize the life-changing impact UNF has made on them and the lives they will touch. The personal pride I have for each and every one of these students runs deep.”
When he retires, Delaney will have awarded 55 percent of the 95,459 total UNF degrees granted since the university opened in 1972.
Delaney, a former Jacksonville mayor, pointed to academic successes in his retirement announcement. UNF’s graduation rate is 24 percent higher than the national average, and the average salary of a UNF alum 10 years after graduation is 23 percent above the national average, he noted.
He also touted 13 new or renovated campus buildings that received the LEED certification for eco-friendly construction during his tenure.
Delaney’s contract allows him to lead a center at UNF following his retirement as president. He has not yet decided if he will pursue that option or other opportunities.
This spring, the UNF Board of Trustees will discuss the search process for a new president.
Lindsey Kilbride can be reached at lkilbride@wjct.org, 904-358-6359 or on Twitter at @lindskilbride.
