Towson University president Loeschke resigns

Towson University President Maravene Loeschke has resigned, effective Friday, citing continuing health concerns.

Loeschke and the university announced her resignation Thursday, on the same day as winter graduation ceremonies.

“It is the deepest sadness of my life that I find I must resign as President of Towson University because of my health. I was to return in January to continue guiding our goals and vision, but my health will not allow me to give Towson the 100% of my attention that it deserves, which any University deserves from its President,” Loeschke wrote in a statement.

She was initially diagnosed with adrenal cancer in April and announced she would undergo surgery and radiation therapy but was expected to make a full recovery. In an update posted on the university website in July, Loeschke reported that she had completed radiation treatments and was cancer free.

Loeschke went on medical leave about a month later.

Timothy Chandler, who served as provost and vice president for academic affairs under Loeschke, was named acting president in August. He will now fill the roll as interim president. A search committee to find a successor to Loeschke is expected to be appointed in the spring.

“It is with heavy hearts that we learned today of the resignation of President Maravene Loeschke. Perhaps her greatest gifts to Towson were her warmth and her generosity,” Chandler wrote in a statement. “They contributed immeasurably to the intimate feel of this 26,000-person community and were reflected in her dedication and love for her alma mater.”

Chandler noted that Loeschke spent more than 30 years and most of her career at Towson, first as a student, then as a faculty member, dean and president. “It is through her life’s work in the arts and through her students, alumni, and her fellow faculty and staff that she has touched the world,” he said.

“Maravene’s question to students: ‘How are you going to use your education to change the world?’ rings loud and clear as we send off 2,400 more graduates this week at commencement,” Chandler added. “As we head into a New Year we are honored to carry on her vision of developing future leaders who will impact our community near and far. We wish Maravene our best as she fights this illness with grace and dignity.”

Loeschke, 67 and a Baltimore native, is a graduate of Towson University. She became president in 2012.

“As we all know, Maravene’s connection to Towson and the TU community runs incredibly deep. After obtaining both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Towson, she spent more than three decades at TU as an educator, administrator, dean, and the past three years as president,” University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. “Brit” Kirwan wrote in a statement.

“And her tenure as President, while brief, will nevertheless have a lasting impact on her beloved institution in terms of educational quality, regional impact, and community service. Her departure will be a significant loss for Towson, the University System of Maryland, and the state.

As president, Loeschke succeeded Robert L. Caret, who left the university to serve as president of the five-campus University of Massachusetts system.

Caret on Wednesday was named chancellor of the University System of Maryland, of which Towson University is a part.