Towson University President Resigns

Towson University President Maravene Loeschke announced her resignation Thursday, a move she said was “the deepest sadness of my life” in a letter she sent to students.

Loeschke, who has been on a leave of absence this semester to battle cancer of the adrenal gland, planned to return in January, but wrote: “...my health will not allow me to give Towson the 100 percent of my attention that it deserves...I must resign as President of Towson University because of my health.”

Her resignation is effective Friday, Dec. 19, according to a statement from Towson University.

Chancellor William Kirwan appointed Tim Chandler—who has been acting president during Loeschke’s leave of absence—to serve as interim president. Chandler will help while a search committee forms in the spring to identify the university’s next president, according to a statement Kirwan issued Thursday.

Towson’s previous president Robert Caret, who left to work for the University of Massachusetts system, will return this spring as chancellor of the university and will also assist in the search, Kirwan said.

Loeschke became president in 2012. She is the second Towson alumna to head her alma mater, graduating in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in theater and a master’s degree in education in 1971. She served the university for more than three decades as a professor, administrator, dean and eventually president, according to a statement from Towson University.

“...her tenure as president, while brief, will nevertheless have a lasting impact on her beloved institution in terms of educational quality, regional impact, and community service,” Kirwan said. “Her departure will be a significant loss for Towson, the University System of Maryland and the state.”

Related:

• Towson President Maravene Loeschke Takes Leave of Absence
• Maravene Loeschke Comes Home to TU
• Towson University President Reports She Has Cancer