Lawrence University president Jill Beck to retire

APPLETON - Lawrence University’s president is retiring.

Jill Beck has announced she will step down as head of the Appleton college in June 2013. Beck has been president since July 2004.

Beck presided over a period of growth in the university’s history, which saw the construction of the Warch Campus Center; renovations to the Memorial Chapel, Memorial Hall, Wellness Center and residence halls; as well as an expansion of the Björklunden lodge and the addition of a wind turbine to the university’s facilities in Door County. Lawrence also has an expanded career center and university leaders say the campus is “greener” and has a greater commitment to wellness.

The university also raised more than $160 million during a recent fundraising campaign.

Beck says she will focus on further expansion during the next year and a half, including transforming the former Downer Commons into a center for film studies and offices for admissions, career services and alumni relations.

Lawrence’s board of trustees has begun the search for a new president.

Beck is a native of Worcester, Mass. She is the first female president in Lawrence’s history.