To the College Community,
 
I write to let you know that after 34 years as a member of the Middlebury College community, John McCardell, college professor and emeritus president, has accepted the position of president of Sewanee: The University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee, beginning July 1.
 
John began his career at Middlebury when he joined the history department in 1976, and became the College’s 15th president in 1992 after serving as acting president for a year in 1991. During his 13 years as president, he established the Commons residential system, led a successful capital campaign, and oversaw the addition of several significant campus facilities, including the 220,000-square-foot science center, later named the John M. McCardell, Jr. Bicentennial Hall by the board of trustees. Over the course of his presidency, the College solidified its reputation as a leading liberal arts college. I know I speak for many in thanking him here for his many contributions to Middlebury College.
 
The College also owes a debt of gratitude to Bonnie McCardell, who has long played an active role in the Middlebury community, particularly in the areas of child care and education. In 2004, she and John received an Honorary Alumni Plaque Award from the Alumni Association to highlight their many years and multiple dimensions of service, and in 2009, they both received honorary degrees from the College.

While I know you will join me in congratulating John on his new position, I am also keenly aware of how much all of us-faculty, staff, students, alumni, and local residents-will miss John and Bonnie. They made Middlebury College a better place, and we wish them the best of luck as they seek to do the same at Sewanee.
 
Sincerely,

Ronald D. Liebowitz
President, Middlebury College