Dr. Darren Dawson today announced his plan to retire as president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

He joined the university as its ninth president on June 21, 2019. He will remain on payroll through the end of 2021. He succeeded Dr. Robert Altenkirch who served as president for nearly eight years from 2011 to 2019.

Dawson’s message was sent by a campus-wide email to faculty, staff and students at 4 p.m. today.

In that message, Dawson addressed his reason for retiring as well as hinted about the transition. It is anticipated that University of Alabama System Chancellor Fess St. John will announce the name of an interim president tomorrow afternoon.

Dawson’s message to the campus as follows:

Dear UAH Students, Faculty, and Staff:

I am writing today to share news about my upcoming retirement plans effective at the end of this calendar year. My wife and I have made this decision due to private family matters and after determining our personal priorities must come first.

I am deeply grateful to Chancellor St. John, the Board of Trustees, and the UAH community for my tenure here, and I am proud of the challenges we have navigated together successfully during unprecedented times.

Tomorrow, Chancellor St. John will share an update about the planned transition, which I fully support. The Chancellor, the Board, and UAH’s supporters have a deep and abiding commitment to UAH’s trajectory as a national leader in teaching, research and public service. I have complete confidence that the transition will be smooth and seamless.

It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as your president. Thank you for your unwavering support of our institution, mission and vision.
Sincerely,

Darren Dawson

Ray Garner is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News.