Tri-C President Announces Retirement

Tri-C President Jerry Sue Thornton announced Thursday that she will retire this summer.

Thornton, who has been the president of the Cuyahoga Community College for more than 20 years, will retire on June 30, 2013.

“I am extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish and believe this is the appropriate time for me to bring closure to my tenure and for the College to begin the transition to new leadership," Thornton said in a press release from the college. 

"We have recently launched several major academic initiatives, implemented new student success strategies and completed many major capital projects.” 

Thornton, an active member of the Northeast Ohio community, told the Plain Dealer that she plans to stay involved by volunteering and consulting. The Plain Dealer notes that Thornton earns $266,000 a year under her current contract, and she has agreed to stay at the college as a consultant for a short time, if needed.

An advisory committee will conduct a nationwide search for Thornton’s replacement.

Tri-C has 11 campuses across the county that serve thousands of students.