Cornell President Martha Pollack to retire June 30

President Martha E. Pollack announced her retirement today, after serving for over seven years as the 14th president of Ithaca’s Ivy League, Cornell University.

During her tenure, she oversaw the creation of interdisciplinary programs, including a new school of public policy; expanded the access to a Cornell education; and set an example worldwide with the university’s COVID-19 mitigation measures.

Pollack will retire June 30, and take on the title of president emerita by the Cornell Board of Trustees in recognition of her contributions and legacy at the university.

Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff will serve as its interim president beginning July 1.

Kotlikoff has served as university provost for the last nine years, as acting president, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and professor of molecular physiology, according to a statement from Kraig H. Kayser, Chair of the Cornell University Board of Trustees.

The board will create a search committee within the next six to nine months before Kotlikoff’s term to select Cornell’s 15th president, Kayser said.

An overdue retirement

Pollack diffused speculation that the decision to retire was anything but her own, stating, "This decision is mine and mine alone. After seven fruitful and gratifying years as Cornell’s president – capping a career in research and academia spanning five decades – I’m ready for a new chapter in my life.”

“I greatly appreciate the continued support of our Board of Trustees and the many faculty, students, staff and alumni who have shared words of encouragement through my time as president, especially over the past academic year,” Pollack said in a statement to the Cornell community Thursday.

Pollack said that she made the decision to retire from her role as university president over the most recent December break, but had to pause three times because of events on Cornell and other campuses.

“… continued delay is not in the university’s best interests, both because of the need to have sufficient time for a smooth transition before the start of the coming academic year, and because I do not want my announcement to interfere with the celebration of our newest graduates at Commencement in just a few weeks,” she said.

Pollack hopes the university does not lose sight of what Cornell is aside from the “current turmoil taking place at universities across the country right now,” she said.

“In my inauguration address seven years ago, I identified three priorities for that forward path: enhancing Cornell’s academic distinction, our educational verve, and the fulfillment of our civic responsibility," she continued. "I am deeply proud of all we have accomplished together in each of these areas.”

A transformational leader

In a Thursday statement, Kayser, called Pollack “a transformational leader of Cornell,” noting her positive impacts on the university which he said, “Will be felt for decades to come.”

Kayser said under Pollack’s leadership, the university increased research funding by nearly 50%;, increased the number of students receiving financial aid by 1,000, reduced annual student debt to the university by 25%, created new academic programs including the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, a Digital Agriculture program, a multi-college Department of Design Tech and made progress towards Cornell’s sustainability goals.

A list of Pollack's accomplishments during her tenure is posted on the Cornell University website.

“On a personal level, all my fellow trustees and I have enjoyed working with President Pollack and have valued her intelligence, integrity, candor, and warmth,” Kayser said. “We deeply appreciate all that President Pollack has contributed to Cornell during her seven years as president, and I am pleased to say that this morning the Board appointed her president emerita, effective July 1.”

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Cornell University President Martha Pollack announces retirement