Methodist University president to retire

Methodist University President Melvin Elton Hendricks announced Thursday that he will retire in July.

Hendricks has headed the four-year liberal arts school since 1983.

"The university needs a president who can envision programs, innovations and financial campaigns of longer duration than is appropriate at my age," he said in a statement. "While the reputation and status of Methodist University are stronger than they have ever been, our long-term future is not guaranteed. Methodist University still needs creativity and innovation. New programs often require three to five years to mature. I am not at an age to provide that long-term leadership."

A native of Savannah, Ga., Hendricks earned a bachelor's degree in history from Wofford College, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of South Carolina.

Before arriving in Fayetteville, he taught at Eisenhower College and Wofford and was academic dean at Randolph Macon College.

"I have been blessed at Methodist with wonderful colleagues and fellow workers," he said. "I have enjoyed and appreciated them. Any success of the university that has attended our years together has been the work of many good people. I have been a fortunate man indeed."