Ramon S. Torrecilha, pictured during his visit to the campus in October 2015, was the unanimous choice for president of Westfield State by the Board of Trustees. Also pictured are Justin Connolly, Class of 2016 WSU student trustee, and Kathy Bradford, director of Alumni Relations. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University President Ramon S. Torrecilha announced Jan. 31 his intent to retire in August.
Torrecilha sent a letter via email to members of the Westfield State community after notifying the University’s Board of Trustees. Appointed in December 2015, Torrecilha began his leadership as Westfield State’s 20th president in January 2016. Motivated by his humble beginnings as a Brazilian immigrant and his own experience as a graduate of public higher education in the United States, his leadership as the University’s first Latino president was marked by many student-focused, accessibility-minded enhancements, and initiatives.
“We are so grateful for all that President Torrecilha has brought to Westfield State University, and the hard work that he and his team have done to create a platform for growth and improvement, while always putting students first,” said Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Queenin. “He has set our University on a path to preeminence among regional public universities, while remaining down-to-earth and accessible to students, faculty, and staff, as well as the University’s partners in the area, across the state, and at the national level.”
“I wish President Torrecilha the very best in retirement and thank him for his transformative leadership as the 20th president of Westfield State,” said Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Carlos E. Santiago. “I am especially grateful to him for his advocacy on behalf of students, including his partnership with local schools on our early college initiative and his recognition of the need for flexible scheduling options to meet the needs of graduate students trying to earn their degrees while working and raising families.”
Below is Torrecilha’s email communication.
Dear University Community:
Over the holiday break I did something that I would recommend to anyone I know: I put away my smartphone for an extended period of time and did some deep thinking. In that time, I thought about myself and my career, my family, as well as Westfield State and what makes this university great.
During this period of reflection, I decided to retire at the end of August from my position as the 20th president of our institution. After some 30 years in higher education – with four and a half at Westfield State – and with a five year strategic plan for the University firmly in place, I feel it is time to pursue personal interests, learn new things, and see more of the world. With a spouse hitting retirement age and both of us fortunate enough to be in good health, the time is right.
I am proud of all that we have done to advance Westfield State while making it more inclusive and accessible to communities where college enrollment has traditionally been low.
Please afford me the opportunity to recap some of our accolades during my time here that I am most proud of. Working with my outstanding leadership team, our talented faculty, and dedicated employees, we have been able to enhance the experience and success of the students we serve and inspire in the following ways:
· Elevated the standing of Westfield State locally, regionally and nationally, making more people aware of the great work done on this campus and our high standards for academic success;
· Created The Westfield State Experience, enabling students to formalize their four-year path for academic and life achievement;
· Boosted institutional financial aid by over $1 million;
· Invested in The Westfield Promise to provide underserved area high school students with an early college experience by immersing them in our campus culture and exposing them to the rigor for collegiate academics;
· Built partnerships with our community college partners that allow students to matriculate here for additional credits and degrees, and with other University partners, including UMass Law School for our “3+3” program;
· Healed our campus community and strengthened campus safety in the wake of a series of bias and hate incidents;
· Established the college structure informed by the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Academic Planning;
· Secured $40 million in state funding for capital improvements, including the long-overdue renovation of Parenzo Hall;
· Funded the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities; and
· Recognized for our strides in fundraising success over several years with an award from CASE.
We achieved these things together, through collective accomplishments and a shared passion or student success. We have moved Westfield State ahead. I believe this institution is poised for even greater things. It can and should take a leadership role nationally among regional public universities.
I look forward to spending the remainder of the academic year doing more of the same—engaging with students, collaborating with faculty, and making my very best effort to continue the progress.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” I, alongside all of you, have tried to nurture that painstaking excellence at Westfield State.
This has been an immensely rewarding final stop in my higher education career. It has been an honor to work with all of you so committed to advancing the mission of Westfield State University. Thank you, all, for playing such an important and valued part in my journey.
I wish Westfield State University much continued success; and all of you, continued good fortune in your personal and professional pursuits.
Sincerely,
Ramon S. Torrecilha, Ph.D.
President
