Two of SF State’s top administrators have recently discussed retirement plans, and the verdicts are in: President Robert A. Corrigan will serve at least two more years, and Provost John Gemello will be greatly missed when he leaves in June.

“John Gemello is a terrific provost,” said Sheldon Axler, Dean of the College of Science Engineering. “I will greatly miss him when he retires.”

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs John Gemello, whose office’s responsibilities include the development of the university class schedule and the hiring of new faculty, announced through a university press release last month that he plans to retire at the end of the 2008-09 academic year.

“It has been a privilege to serve as provost and to work with such rich and diverse talent as we have at the university,” Gemello said in a news release.

Meanwhile, Corrigan addressed curiosities about his retirement at a recent faculty and staff orientation.

“I have promised Chancellor Reed at least two more years of service at this university,” the president said.

Gemello has served as an SF State administrator for 19 years. He was also an economics lecturer and professor at the university for 14 years before becoming the provost. His appointment to the position – the second-highest rank in the university – came after an eight-month long nationwide search in 2003.

Axler, who has been dean of science for the entire time that Gemello was provost, said that he worked closely with Gemello on several occasions.

“He [Gemello] operates with wonderful integrity and openness, while using his deep understanding of the university to obtain the best results for SF State students and faculty.”

Librarian Ann Shadwick echoed Axler’s sentiments. “Many people will be very sorry to see him go and speak highly of him.”

According to his biography on the school website, Gemello took an original approach to hiring and creating a strongly academic yet diverse faculty while at SF State. Since 2000, he has recruited half of the faculty and was able to hold true to SF State ideals, molding a unique faculty body that focused on non-traditional academics.

In addition to teaching and serving as provost, Gemello has co-authored “Workbook for Macroeconomics” and written several articles and scholarly journals on economics and school finance.

“John has one of the best minds and hearts of anyone with whom I have worked,” university president Corrigan said. “To the university, he has been a splendid academic leader, helping to shape SF State in ways that will endure for years to come. To me, he has been a valued colleague, adviser, and friend.”

Gemello’s successor will be chosen through a national search conducted by a committee appointed by Corrigan.

Corrigan’s comment about his own future plans came close to his 20-year anniversary as SF State president this month, yet he stopped short of expressing any definitive time frame.

“He clearly stated that he is not announcing retirement,” said university spokesperson Ellen Griffin.
Ramon Castellblanch, head of the SFSU faculty union, said that the president’s remarks at the orientation only showed that Corrigan “foresees his retirement,” but that the president has no definite retirement plans yet.

“He’s just starting to think about that transition, but it’s clear that he’s staying on for at least a few more years,” Castellblanch said.

A strong supporter of campus interaction with the world outside of its footprint, Corrigan motivated SF State’s academic departments to pursue civic engagement and help local communities solve problems with university expertise, according to SFSU’s website.