Letter from the Chair

A message to the community from Alan R. Abraham Jr., Chair, Board of Governors 

I am writing to advise the Saint Mary’s University community that the university will prepare for a presidential transition in 2025. President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, has provided notice to the Board of Governors that he does not intend to seek a third term. 

Dr. Summerby-Murray’s current term concludes at the end of June 2025, at which time he will have served for a full decade as President and Vice-Chancellor. The Board will continue to support Dr. Summerby-Murray in his capable leadership throughout the remainder of his term. The President looks forward to accomplishing a great deal, ensuring the success of the university overall and leaving a top leadership team in place before his term concludes.   

Preparations are underway for a presidential transition. The university’s bylaws set out procedures for a Presidential Search, which includes establishing a Presidential Search Committee, led by the Board of Governors and chaired by the Board Chair. The search committee will be established by January 2024. We anticipate the search for the next President of Saint Mary’s University will take 18 months.  

As Chair of Saint Mary’s University’s Board of Governors and Chair of the Search Committee, please be assured of my commitment to keeping the university community apprised throughout the process as we search for the 35th President of Saint Mary’s University. 

Alan R. Abraham Jr., BComm’80  
Chair, Board of Governors