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Stephen Ainlay, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College, has been named the 18th president of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Founded in 1795, Union is an independent, liberal arts college.
Ainlay, a sociologist with a distinguished record as a teacher, scholar and administrator, has been a professor at Holy Cross since 1982 and a dean since 1996. Union College selected him after an extensive national search.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Stephen," says Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of Holy Cross, "and one that is well deserved. We are very happy for Stephen and wish him all the best as he looks to take on this new challenge. His leaving will be a significant loss for us. In his 10 years as dean and eight as academic vice president, he has done tremendous work enhancing the faculty, starting a number of important new programs, leading our academic planning and curriculum review, and raising the national profile of Holy Cross in the higher education community. He has also been a great friend and colleague to many of us, one who always puts the interests of the College and its students first. He will certainly be missed. Nevertheless, change is an inevitable part of the life of an institution, as it is for individuals and communities, so we will accept this one with gratitude for all that Stephen has done for us and our sincerest best wishes for his happiness and success in his new position."
Ainlay will depart on Feb. 15, at which time James Kee, associate professor and chair of the English department, will assume the post of interim academic vice president and dean of the College; Kee had previously served as the first associate dean of the College.
Holy Cross will undertake a national search for a permanent successor to Ainlay. Fr. McFarland has appointed a committee with representatives from the faculty, administration and student body to advise him on the search.
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