After leading East Carolina University for three years, Cecil Staton announced on Monday that he's stepping down.
At a press conference announcing his resignation, Staton reviewed some of his accomplishments while leading the university, including a half-a-billion-dollar fundraising campaign that has raised $213 million for the school and the Rural Prosperity Initiative.
"We have tried to bring together the resources of this university to address some of the key issues that are impacting rural North Carolina – health care disparities, education disparities and economic disparities.”
Staton’s departure comes soon after former University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings’ last day. His announcement also follows the resignation of UNC Chapel Hill’s Chancellor Carol Folt.
While Staton provided few specifics on what led to his departure, he says he "did not initiate" it. “This had been an ongoing process and discussion for several months," he said. "I do not recall the exact moment in time when it began, I just candidly haven’t thought about it in those terms for quite some time.”
Staton will receive his regular salary and benefits through his final day on June 30. Additionally, he’ll receive $589,700 in non-state funds by July 15. ECU plans to have an interim president in place after commencement on May 3.