WORCESTER— After 45 years serving educational institutions, Mary Lou Retelle is ready to relax.
Anna Maria College has announced that President Retelle is retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. Retelle’s leadership has spanned for more than a decade at Anna Maria, marked by her commitment to the college’s mission.
“I have been in higher education for more than 45 years, at Anna Maria since 2011, now in my eleventh year as president, and I just turned 70!” Retelle told the Worcester Guardian. “The numbers just make sense to make this decision. I am retiring and will split time between Florida and the Northeast. Higher education has been a wonderful career choice for me and I hope for all the institutions I served.”
In her official announcement to the Anna Maria community, Retelle expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff for their support in overcoming challenges such as the pandemic, economic changes, and shifting demographics.
“As I approach retirement, I reflect with great pride on all we have accomplished together, and the foundation laid to advance the work in the years ahead,” she wrote. “The support, as president, that I have been offered by the Board of Trustees is beyond compare, and the college has benefitted from that unwavering counsel.”
Retelle acknowledged faculty and staff, who she says were excellent partners and met everything she threw their way, or came their way, including challenges such as the pandemic, economic upheavals, demographic changes, and public skepticism about private colleges.
“Most importantly, throughout my tenure as president, the heart and soul of my leadership are the students I have had the privilege to serve,” she continued. “From the moment they stepped on campus to the proud celebration of their commencement, I have been honored to be a part of this transformative journey in their lives. Every decision I made was guided by their educational dreams and aspirations. As alumni, they embody the spirit of Anna Maria College. It is my hope that my years as president will be remembered through their success and achievements.”
Retelle highlighted the students as the “heart and soul” of her tenure, emphasizing that their educational dreams guided every decision she made. She also underscored the enduring values of the Sisters of Saint Anne, which continue to inspire the college’s mission. She said that despite these challenging times for higher education, she leaves with “great optimism” and that the core values at Anna Maria are “more relevant now than ever.”
“There is much work to accomplish in the year ahead,” said Retelle. “I am passionately committed to working together to ensure our continued growth and strength and to help ensure an excellent transition in presidential leadership.”
Board of Trustees Chair David Trainor praised Retelle’s leadership, noting her role in guiding the college through significant changes and achievements, including enrollment growth and enhanced academic programs. He affirmed the board’s commitment to a smooth transition as they begin the search for the next president.
Retelle joined Anna Maria College in 2011 as Executive Vice President and became President in 2015. Her tenure has seen substantial accomplishments, including improved student experiences and increased regional impact, supported by federal and foundation grants.
Send your news to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
