Elon University president Leo Lambert is stepping down from the position he has held since January 1999.

Lambert went public with his decision in a video released through the university on Monday morning. Lambert said he had informed Elon’s Board of Trustees of his decision at the board’s meeting last Friday.

“I believe this is an ideal time for a transition in Elon’s presidency,” Lambert said in a release. “We are completing the final objectives of the Elon Commitment strategic plan and making great progress on the leadership phase of the ‘Elon Leads’ comprehensive fundraising campaign, with a public launch scheduled for 2018. In recruiting a new president at this time, we can ensure continuity of leadership for these key initiatives, as well as anticipate the creation and implementation of the university’s next strategic plan.”

The university has grown a great deal under Lambert’s leadership, with enrollment growing from 4,000 to 6,700. Full-time faculty positions, meanwhile, have more than doubled. More than 100 buildings have also been added to the Elon campus during his tenure. Additionally, 54 percent of all Elon graduates have received their diploma while Lambert has been president.

Officials say the Board of Trustees is forming a 15-member search committee, which will be made up of eight trustees, three faculty members, two students, one staff member and one member of Elon’s senior staff. The search firm of Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates has been retained to assist with the search, according to the university.

Lambert said that would remain at Elon as president emeritus and professor following a sabbatical year in which he said he would focus on writing.

Lambert said he would remain in the position until a successor was named and ready to assume the duties of the president, which Lambert said was expected to be January 1, 2018.

You can see the full video message from Lambert below:

 

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