LaGrange College President Stuart Gulley, who leaves in June to take over the presidency of Woodward Academy in Atlanta, thanked members of the college’s leadership council in his last “state of the college” address Thursday.

“I have been overwhelmed,” with the tributes leading up to his departure, said Gulley. “There has been no greater send-off at the college than the one for Stuart Gulley. I will never forget the love and admiration you have shown me. You have challenged my mind and inspired my soul.”

Belmont University Provost Dan McAlexander is expected to move into the college president’s house in June and be on the job full-time after July 4.

Gulley did leave the group with a few challenges. Not only does no one know what the current economic crisis is leading to, but LaGrange College faces a “challenge” from public colleges moving into the area, Gulley said.

“If you have contacts at the Board of Regents, talk to them,” said Gulley, who is concerned about Columbus State’s plans to open a satellite campus in West Point. The state Board of Regents, which governs the colleges, recently gave approval for Chambers County, Ala., residents to enroll at “in-state” Georgia tuition.

“With all the cuts the state is facing, we are underwriting Alabama at about $9,000 a student,” he said.

In spite of the economic news, Gulley was full of praise for the college meeting its $65 million “Defining Moment” fundraising campaign well ahead of the December deadline.

“There is no limit to what this college can do,” he said.

In what has become Gulley’s signature style, he gave much of the credit to the success of his 13 years in LaGrange to the faculty and staff of the school, especially the college cabinet, all of whom he hired in his years here.

David Rowe, 43, vice president of advancement since 2000, and Phyllis Whitney, executive vice president for administration, both will leave the college after Gulley’s departure.

Rowe will assume leadership of Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport Aug. 1. Whitney is leaving to join former LaGrange College VP for academic affairs and Iowa Weslyan College President Jay Simmons, in a similar role.

Gulley presented the two with the college’s Servant Leadership awards.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.