H. Carl McCall announced his plans to retire as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York. Chairman McCall was appointed to SUNY’s Board in 2007 and has served as the board’s chairman since 2011. During his tenure, he has overseen the installations of two separate chancellors and more than 50 university and college presidents. His administration has been marked by a comprehensive expansion of SUNY’s academic breadth, elevation of SUNY’s national and international brand, and diversification of SUNY’s senior administration and student body. Chairman McCall’s ardent advocacy of higher education has led to substantial gains for SUNY’s students.
Chairman H. Carl McCall said, “After 10 years of service, I have decided to retire as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York. I believe that it is time for me to pursue other interests and allow new vision to take SUNY to even higher heights.”
Chairman McCall’s retirement will become effective on June 30, 2019. He will continue to fully execute his duties as board chairman and remain engaged in the affairs of the university until then. After retirement, he will teach a course at the University at Albany while completing a memoir that explores his more than 50 years of public service. “SUNY has always been a beacon of light in New York State,” reflected Chairman McCall. “Manning this lighthouse has been my deepest honor.”
SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, “Chairman McCall has been a staunch advocate for the people—all people—throughout his esteemed career in public service. We have been fortunate at SUNY to have his leadership, intellect, expertise and deep commitment for the students we serve while leading our Board of Trustees.”
Chairman McCall has had an unparalleled career as a public servant. He served as comptroller of the State of New York from 1993 to 2002. He served three terms as a New York State Senator representing the upper Manhattan district of New York City; as an ambassador to the United Nations; as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and as the commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights and president of the New York City Board of Education from 1991 to 1993. Chairman McCall was educated at Dartmouth College, Andover Newton Theological Seminary, and the University of Edinburgh.