Larry Snyder has released a statement in an email to staff and faculty of Potter College following his resignation as the college’s dean, which was announced on Tuesday and became effective Wednesday.

“As you know by now, I have resigned my leadership of Potter College effective today,” Snyder said in the email. “I regret that I was unable to inform you of that decision myself yesterday.  Thank you for all of the good wishes and encouragement sent my way.”

The Herald was unable to reach Snyder for comment when his resignation was announced via email by WKU Provost Terry Ballman. 

In an email, Ballman said because this is a personnel matter, she is unable to comment. 

Read Snyder’s full statement below:

Good morning, colleagues.  I hope that you find some time to enjoy this beautiful spring day.

As you know by now, I have resigned my leadership of Potter College effective today.  I regret that I was unable to inform you of that decision myself yesterday.  Thank you for all of the good wishes and encouragement sent my way.  That outpouring of support has been overwhelming and humbling.  It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your Dean for the past four years.  I can think of no better place to work or better faculty and staff with whom to serve on behalf of our amazing students.  The programs in Potter remain the academic heart of this and every university worthy of the name.  But those programs are only as good as the faculty and staff that lead them.  You are an amazing group of teachers, scholars, artists, and advisors whom our students are blessed to know.  And I have been blessed to have you as colleagues.

Following my departure, Dr. Sally Ray will assume the deanship on an interim basis.  Sally is a long-time member of the Potter faculty and an experienced administrator.  I ask that you give her your support, as these will be difficult days for her and the college.  There are no opportunities without challenges, and right now challenges abound.  We are engaged in the hard work of reshaping our university to be strong and vital for the next fifty years.  But there is no college on this campus better prepared to meet that challenge.  I return to the faculty to engage in that struggle with you.

As always, thank you for all that you do every day for our students, our alumni, and each other.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Digital Managing Editor Jeremy Chisenhall can be reached at 270-745-6291 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JSChisenhall.