“There’s never a perfect time for a transition in jobs like this, but I think, given the great momentum in the university, coupled with superb leadership at all levels of the institution, the current academic year is a propitious one to search for the 12th president of UOG,” Krise announced to the UOG community.

In the meantime, Krise said, UOG will continue reaching its Para Hulo’ goals of enriching the student experience and seeking to be a model for operations and resource management, including our unprecedented set of capital building projects.”

“I am so proud of our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators for all they’ve accomplished over our whole 70 years of history and especially over this last half-decade,” he wrote.

“With your hard work and dedication, we achieved full Sea Grant status, $18 million per year in research grants, awards and national rankings for excellence and for promoting social mobility, and more than 100 partnership agreements with universities and colleges across the region and around the world,” according to Krise.

During this half-decade, Krise said, UOG survived the tough challenges of the COVID pandemic, recession, inflation, cuts in funding, and the loss of some of UOG’s cherished colleagues and friends.

“I’ve learned so much from my experience as a Triton, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve with you.” – Thomas W. Krise, 11th president of the University of Guam

“But, through highs and lows, UOG has been a beacon and an example for our community. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know this island and our region and to work closely with other leaders  and team members to transform lives and advance our communities. I’ve learned so much from my experience as a Triton, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve with you,” Krise added.

During his tenure, Krise and his wife Patricia Krise made a personal investment into helping UOG students pursue and complete their degrees. In 2020, the couple donated $85,000 through the UOG Endowment Foundation.

The scholarship offers three categories: first-generation college students; students who have demonstrated need to complete their degree programs; and students who will be participating in unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations.
The scholarship fund will produce $1,000 scholarships for three students each year in perpetuity.

UOG Board of Regents Chairperson Liza J. Provido said, “We value President Krise’s leadership as he guided UOG through the pandemic while elevating the University’s reputation throughout Asia Pacific and its standing among other public U.S. colleges and universities as a growing research institution and as an institution that focuses on the success of its students.”

A search for his successor will soon be underway.

“The Board is committed to staying the course with our goals, and a search will soon be launched to ensure a smooth and timely transition,” Provido said.