Keith Pretty, president and CEO of Midland’s Northwood University, announced he will retire effective June 30, 2019.
“President Pretty’s tenure at Northwood has been a transformational time,” says Al Zehnder, chairman of Northwood University’s board of trustees. “Members of the board, the students, staff, faculty, and alumni of Northwood University are grateful to him for his service and leadership. He will leave Northwood University well-positioned for future success.”
During his 12 years at Northwood, Pretty has overseen the renovation and expansion of the university’s residential campus, increased philanthropic giving and scholarships, and has raised exposure of the Northwood brand nationally and internationally. He is the university’s third president.
“Northwood University is a special place, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve this vibrant community of current and future leaders,” says Pretty. “I am very proud of all we have accomplished together, which would not have been possible without the collaboration of our faculty, students, staff, and administrators and the support of the board of trustees.”
Northwood University’s board has convened a presidential search committee and launched the search with support from the executive search firm Witt/Kieffer. The committee has scheduled listening sessions for internal Northwood University stakeholders, and the search will be a confidential process.
“Releasing the names of candidates, even at the finalist stage, could prevent highly qualified candidates from considering the opportunity,” says Zehnder, who also leads the search committee. “We believe this approach is in the best interest of the university and will allow us to attract the caliber of president we seek.”
Northwood is a private, nonprofit, and accredited university specializing in managerial and entrepreneurial education.
