SUNY Cobleskill President Don Zingale surprised everyone but the maintenance workers who'd been asked to remove the photographs from his office walls when he abruptly announced his retirement Thursday.
Dr. Zingale's retirement is effective today, Wednesday, but it's believed he flew back to California Friday.
Dr. Zingale was named SUNY Cobleskill's 11th president in January 2008 and was inaugurated in May 2009 in ceremonies that included 300 guests and a mariachi band.
Controversy and criticism quickly followed and in October 2010, faculty discussed taking a vote of no confidence.
Instead, faculty asked the State University Faculty Senate to visit the campus; the 14-page report that followed in May credited Dr. Zingale with a strong vision for the campus and a good handle on both finances and the challenges facing higher education.
However, it also criticized his problems with personal interactions, ineffective communication, and inconsistent management.
In a press release announcing Dr. Zingale's retirement, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher praised his service, calling him "a true ambassador for the power of SUNY...His efforts to bring Cobleskill to the next level will have a lasting impact on the campus,,,We wish Dr. Zingale the best of luck in his future endeavors."
In an email message to faculty and staff issued at the same time as the official press release, Dr. Zingale said he made the decision with "mixed emotions."
The email doesn't reference his troubled tenure, and instead praises employees whose "combined efforts and accomplishments have brought much-needed national recognition to an institution with niche excellence that deserves the attention and a new strategic plan the guide the onset of a second century of service."
Dr. Zingale was unavailable for comment Thursday or Friday.
John Kowal, president of the college's chapter of United University Professionals-the union-is on vacation, but in a written statement said employees received the news "with some sadness."
"However at the same time, it is exciting to think about the new direction our college can chart to create a stronger more vibrant institution."
Faculty's hope that Dr. Zingale would bring a fresh and unique perspective to Cobleskill never panned out, Professor Kowal said.
"The tension created...has led to far too much division among our campus community and hindered our ability to grow and adapt."
Still, Professor Kowal said, Dr. Zingale worked hard to address longstanding salary disparities on campus, adding, "it's important to note that he did not sidestep this complex issue like many who preceded him."