St. Norbert College President Bruess to leave, named president of College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
DE PERE - St. Norbert College President Brian Bruess is leaving the school at the end of the academic year, more than two years after a previous plan to resign sparked campus protests and led the college to renew his contract.
Bruess was named president of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, according to a news release from the schools. He will start his new position July 1.
Thomas Kunkel, former St. Norbert president, will take over as the interim president for a year, Bruess said. Kunkel was the president for nine years before retiring in 2017. He was appointed as the interim president Tuesday.
"As I leave this office this summer, I will take heart knowing this cherished institution is in his capable, steady hands," Bruess wrote in a farewell statement.
Bruess had stayed on as president of St. Norbert after saying in 2019 that he planned to leave the job. His initial decision to step down shocked students, faculty and alumni, who believed he was being forced out, and it led to weeks of uproar on campus as Bruess' supporters demanded answers from the St. Norbert board.
St. Norbert officials said the resignation stemmed from "differences over vision for the college," but never explained further. Kunkel had criticized the board of trustees for not being transparent about Bruess' initial decision to resign, while the board said there were no conflicts of interest involved in the process.
At least four board members resigned after Bruess received a contract extension.
The Board of Trustees will start a nationwide search for Bruess' replacement.
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, in a news release, praised Bruess' efforts to boost enrollment numbers and build the most diverse campus in St. Norbert's history.
Bruess, a 1990 graduate of St. Norbert, is leaving the college after a five-year run. He became president in 2017 after working at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He thanked St. Norbert students, faculty, trustees and sponsors.
"While this is a hard email to write, I do so with joy that is grown from the knowledge that we have shared something special during these past almost five years and that the result of our collective work has been and will continue to be uncommon success," Bruess said.
More: St. Norbert College committee: Former leader has 'misperceptions' about President Brian Bruess' exit
Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @benita_mathew.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: St. Norbert College president Bruess leaving at end of academic year
