President Raynard S. Kington will leave his position as Grinnell College’s 13th President at the end of the academic year. He has accepted a position as Head of Phillips Academy, a boarding school in Andover, Mass. The search for a new President has not officially begun.
News of Kington’s resignation broke early Thursday morning in a memo addressed to students, faculty, and staff. Penned by David Maxwell, Chair of the Board of Trustees, the message offered a retrospective on Mr. Kington’s tenure at Grinnell and some details about how the process of presidential transition will move forward in the coming months.
To accompany the announcement, Phillips Academy Andover issued a press release publicizing Kington as its 16th Head of School.
In that press release, Kington said, “I am incredibly honored to be selected as head of such a historic institution. Non sibi [the school’s motto, meaning “not for self”] is an ideal that aligns with the values that I learned growing up, and it resonates with me at a deep level, both personally and professionally.”
“Much like Grinnell College, Andover has a robust legacy of both academic excellence and diversity. I am looking forward to joining the Andover community and continuing the work of providing an exceptional education for extraordinary young people who will become meaningful contributors to the common good,” he said.
The news comes months after the Board of Trustees’ decision to renew President Kington’s contract for another three years. Were it not for his resignation, he would have remained at Grinnell College until June 30, 2022. Patricia Finkelman `80, the previous Chair of the Board, said in February that the board has been “overwhelmingly pleased with his performance” and that it never considered seeking out someone else.
“Grinnell College is a better place thanks to President Kington’s leadership, and we are grateful for the position of strength in which he leaves us,” Maxwell wrote in the announcement. “We have great confidence that we are well positioned to attract his successor, ensuring that Grinnell College’s upward trajectory continues with new, visionary leadership that both celebrates and builds upon President Kington’s legacy.”
When President Kington departs in May 2020, he will have been with Grinnell College for about a decade.
Jean McKenzie • Dec 5, 2019 at 7:00 pm
We, the community of Grinnellians, are deeply saddened this morning. Dr. Kington is a beloved leader of the college navigating some rough waters and building the college’s legacy, educational offerings and infrastructure with distinction. He will be missed.