UPDATED: Dec. 13, 2012, 5:27 p.m.

After 12 years as SUNY-ESF president, Cornelius Murphy announced today that he will step down within a year.

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Board of Trustees has started a search for a new president, and Murphy will remain in his current position until a successor is found, according to a Dec. 11 ESF press release.

After stepping down as president, Murphy will focus on teaching and special projects at ESF, according to the release.

Looking back on his tenure as president, Murphy said he’s most proud of ESF’s rise in the rankings. ESF is currently ranked 77 in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings and is also highly rated in other rankings as well.

“When I first got here, ESF wasn’t on any of the rankings,” Murphy said.

Since his appointment as president in 2000, Murphy has overseen the expansion of the school’s facilities, including the building of the first residence hall and the Gateway Center as well as renovations to the Baker Laboratory, according to the ESF release.

During his tenure, ESF also greatly increased its student body and academic offerings and also established an intercollegiate athletic program, according to the release.

Before he steps down as president next year, Murphy said he hopes to see the new Gateway Center, which has been under construction for two years, open as well as the launch of several new academic programs. Murphy said he is also looking forward to the rest of ESF’s centennial celebration.

Murphy said he has been contemplating leaving his current position for almost a year now. In September, he approached the Board of Trustees about stepping down and then coordinated with them to find the right time. His decision to step down now allows the Board of Trustees to begin the search after the New Year, he said.

Murphy’s announcement comes just two months after Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s announcement that she will step down as chancellor in 2014, but Murphy said they are not related. He noted that he had decided to step down in September, a month before Cantor made her announcement.

The ESF Board of Trustees is responsible for the search process to find a new chancellor and will submit its recommendation to the Chancellor and trustees of the State University of New York, according to a Dec. 11 ESF Board of Trustees press release.

The search committee will include representatives from the ESF faculty, staff, students, alumni, the ESF College Foundation, the Board of Trustees and a representative designated by the SUNY Chancellor, according to the release.

Murphy didn’t have particular advice as to what his successor should focus on, but said he hopes both the long-term strategic plan and physical facilities plan are completed.

“There will be a new president, a new time and there may be new opportunities,” he said.

In a statement released Tuesday, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner said she and Murphy have developed a close partnership during their years working together and share a vision for a greener, more sustainable community.

“(Murphy) fundamentally understands the importance of bringing together our greatest resources: our young people and our natural environment and using both of these to build a better tomorrow,” Miner said in the statement.

Eric Spina, SU’s vice chancellor and provost, said he and the SU administration were surprised to hear of Murphy’s plans to step down. He commended Murphy for being a great partner in helping to make a difference in Central New York.

Spina said one of Murphy’s greatest accomplishments as president of ESF was his support for grassroots efforts among ESF, SU and Upstate Medical University faculty.

Murphy also helped to break the barriers between ESF and SU by allowing students at one university to take courses at the other, Spina said.

“Neil was the ideal president for ESF,” Spina said. “He’s a humble guy who understands the importance of parternship. He realized that like SU, ESF can’t do it on their own; he was looking to partner rather than looking to compete.”

In general, Murphy said he has enjoyed his time at ESF.

Said Murphy: “It has been a privilege to serve this institution and the extraordinary students and great faculty.”

Published on December 11, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Contact Jessica: jliannet@syr.edu | @JessicaIannetta