Dr. Richard Creehan to step down at end of fall semester
PHILIPPI, W.Va. – On Friday, October 23, 2015, Alderson Broaddus University President Dr. Richard Creehan informed the campus community and Board of Trustees that he will resign as president, effective December 18, 2015.
“I am honored and extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Alderson Broaddus for I have developed a deep and abiding love for this University,” said Dr. Richard Creehan. “I want to thank the board of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their unwavering support over the past four years. I also had the pleasure of living in Philippi, a town that has embraced me, and appreciate all the support I have received from the citizens of Barbour County.”
Creehan took over as the 9th president of Alderson Broaddus on June 1, 2011. Prior to joining AB, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Adrian College in Michigan since 2005.
Under Creehan’s leadership, the University’s enrollment has grown from 500 in August 2011, to 1,201 in just four years. The largest freshman class in the school’s history entered in the fall of 2013 with a staggering 447 new students, surpassing 2012’s record-breaking class of 406 freshmen.
“I have made the decision to resign with the intention to keep Alderson Broaddus continuing and moving forward,” said Creehan. “I have taken Alderson Broaddus through extraordinary growth and completed the first part of our strategic plan. As we enter into the second phase of our strategic plan, which will require some financial restructuring, it is time to hand over the reins to someone new with a different perspective and skill set. This has been the capstone experience of a career and the thrill of a life time and I will depart in December with nothing but fond memories.”
Massive construction projections including a nationally recognized multi-sport performance stadium; four brand new residence halls, including apartment and suite-style options; campus-wide renovations including the Campus Center, the Coliseum, aquatics center, the three existing residential halls, and the refurbishment of Funkhouser Auditorium and the Joan Burbick Lecture Hall as well as the dedication of Cunningham Plaza were all completed under the direction of President Creehan.
He also supported the Board of Trustees decision in April 2013 to move from college status to that of a comprehensive university including the creation of the Council of Deans, and the associated realignment of the University into five colleges.
President Creehan’s vision in support of the AB mission has brought new vitality to the campus. The mountaintop community is once again thriving and AB is stronger than ever. The culture has turned into one of vibrancy and the dynamic atmosphere can be felt by current and prospective students, alumni, faculty and staff, and throughout the local community.
Since his arrival, Alderson Broaddus has been recognized across the country. The University was named the region’s Success Story of the Year for 2014, and continues to rise in national rankings.
Dr. Ron Burbick, Chairman of the Board said, “We are grateful for Dr. Creehan’s service to Alderson Broaddus and the advances he has made to the school and its programs. We wish him and his wife, Beth, all of God’s many blessings in the future, and we are now looking forward to entering the next stage of our strategic vision.”
A Pennsylvania native, Creehan earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from California University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from The University of Dayton in 1981. During commencement on May 11, 2013, President Creehan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education from Alderson Broaddus.
