University President is retiring

Longtime University of Jamestown President Robert S. Badal says he will retire next year.

Badal announced Thursday that he will retire effective Feb. 28, 2018. He has been president since 2002.

In a statement, Badal says he has had "the rare chance to take a small but historic institution to a higher level."

During Badal's tenure, the university has seen growth in enrollment, endowment, academic programs and extracurricular offerings. Jamestown College became the University of Jamestown during his presidency, and a new campus in Fargo is home to three graduate programs.

The university's endowment has more than doubled since Badal became president, and more than 1,100 students are enrolled.

The Board of Trustees will consider plans for selecting a new president at its Sept. 29 meeting.