The President of Western Connecticut State University has announced his retirement.  After more than 10 years leading West Conn, James Schmotter announced Tuesday  that he will retire on July 1st. 

In an email to the university community, Schmotter said that it's been an honor and a joy to work with everyone over the past decade.  Schmotter said that the enthusiasm, commitment and accomplishments of this university’s faculty, staff and students is beyond words.  He added that stakeholders have consistently provided support that has been both materially valuable and emotionally inspiring, that he'll always treasure the memories he has made in Danbury. 

He joined West Conn from Western Michigan University, where he was dean of the business school and a professor of management.  Schmotter has overseen tremendous growth at the university including the newly opened School of Visual and Performing Arts Center and the west side campus center.

His teaching career started at Northwestern University and he first became an administrator at the State University of New York at Binghamton.