Mary Washington president stepping down early

[Blue_Tires]

Judy G. Hample, the outgoing president of the University of Mary Washington, is stepping down early.

Beginning April 1, Hample will begin an academic sabbatical that will continue until June 30, her previously scheduled departure date.

"I offered to step down early so that the acting president can begin his or her term earlier, and so that the university can continue to move forward without the distractions inherent in a prolonged period of transition," Hample said in a statement released by the school.

Hample announced last month that she would resign on June 30 after two years on the job. She has said that she is leaving for personal reasons and the university has declined to elaborate.

Nanalou Sauder, rector of the board of visitors, announced that the board accepted Hample's proposal to step down early.

During her academic sabbatical, "she will support the board and the yet-to-be-named acting president, consulting on the establishment of the Colleges of Business and Education and on continuing the implementation of the strategic plan," according to a statement from the school.

The school has not announced a timetable for its next presidential search. Mary Washington will be looking for its third president in three years.

Hample became the university's eighth president on July 1, 2008, succeeding William J. Frawley. He was fired by the board in April 2007 after 10 months on the job when he was arrested twice in two days on charges of driving under the influence.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/UMWWGAT08_20100308-182401/329101/