Trustees to resume deliberations for next board chair

The Board of Trustees will resume its deliberations for a chair to succeed Suzanne Corbet Thomas ?62.

This has become necessary following the resignation from the Board of John J.P. Howley ?80, whom the Trustees had named chair-elect last October.

A resident of New Jersey, Howley resigned after pleading guilty Feb. 4 to one misdemeanor charge of failing to file his 2004 New York non-resident personal income tax return.

?I deeply regret that an issue in my personal life has become an issue for the Board,? said Howley. ?Under the circumstances, I believe it is in the best interests of the College for me to resign my position as Trustee. I will always be a passionate supporter of Skidmore.?

Howley, who joined the Skidmore Board in 2000, was named vice chair in 2002 and has been instrumental in moving the College forward. An attorney, he is nationally recognized for his pro bono work on behalf of death-row inmates and has provided many Skidmore students the opportunity to work with him on appeals of death-row cases.

?Skidmore remains grateful for the many significant ways that John has contributed to the College over the years,? said Thomas. ?We regret the circumstances that have led to this moment, but we understand and appreciate that John has made the decision that he believes to be in the College?s best interest. John has been a vibrant member of the Board of Trustees, and we wish him the best.?