Wittenberg hired Dr. Laurie Joyner to be its first female president in July of 2012. Now, after nearly four years on the job, Joyner is leaving the university.
Wendy Kobler, interim vice-president of advancement, confirmed Joyner's resignation Wednesday evening.
"Dr. Joyner has resigned from her post as president and will leave Wittenberg University on Friday, Nov. 6. She was elected to serve Wittenberg University by the board of directors in 2012, so she was in her fourth year," Kobler said.
Wittenberg has been battling fiscal issues since Joyner took office and recently announced more than $6 million in budget cuts which eliminated health care benefits for retired employees, while cutting benefits for current staff.
A memo was sent to alumni, students and staff from the board of directors regarding Joyner's decision to leave Wittenberg.
“Dr. Joyner is leaving Wittenberg University in a much stronger financial position and with talented staff members to continue the progress begun during her tenure," wrote Thomas J. Murray, Chairman of the Wittenberg University Board of Directors. “We are supremely confident in the continuing success of our university and the incredible faculty and staff that mold our future leaders. Her depth of experience and expertise in academia made her the right leader for Wittenberg through this time of challenging and necessary transitions, and helped to establish a foundation for an even greater Wittenberg that will nurture young leaders for generations to come.”
No timeline or search committee has been set to seek Joyner's replacement
Joyner was unavailable for comment for this story.