[caption id="attachment_24982" align="alignright" width="336" caption="SRJC President Dr. Robert Agrella"][/caption]
SANTA ROSA – Dr. Robert Agrella, president and superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College for the past 21 years, will retire effective June 30, 2011.
He announced his retirement to the board of trustees at its annual retreat on Aug. 31, and Richard Call, president of the board, made it public at the board's meeting on Tuesday.
“Much has improved for the students and employees of SRJC since Dr. Agrella became president in 1990," Mr. Call said. "He has managed the greatest growth period in the history of the college. Growth in enrollment, a budget that has almost tripled, and an incredible facility upgrade, just to name a few areas. Change isn’t always easy, but during Dr. Agrella’s presidency he has, and to this day, continues to guide SRJC with clear vision and strong leadership.”
Dr. Agrella has been in education for 43 years. He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science in mathematics from Purdue University and his doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to moving to Santa Rosa, he served for five years as superintendent-president of Cabrillo College in Aptos.
Mr. Call said while it is no secret that there is great financial uncertainty with the state budget, he feels Dr. Agrella will be turning over a very strong institution to the incoming president next year.
“As you can imagine the board is deeply saddened by the news and concerned about what this announcement means to the district, but happy for Dr. Agrella and what the future holds for him,” Mr. Call said.
