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Oglethorpe University President Lawrence Schall announced he will be stepping down next year. Schall has served as the university’s president since 2005 and is the longest-serving sitting college or university president in Georgia.

“I have been privileged to serve this university and have put my heart and soul into leading it to a strong, secure place,” Schall said in a statement. “I could not be prouder of the thousands of graduates who have crossed Oglethorpe’s commencement stage since I arrived in 2005. As I consider how far we’ve come as an institution during that time, I am immensely optimistic about Oglethorpe and its future. I am grateful my path in life brought me to the extraordinary city of Atlanta and to Oglethorpe, a community that strives to ‘make a difference.’”

Schall’s presidency brought financial improvement and stability to the University, he oversaw extended periods of increases in enrollment and campus growth and he strengthened connections between the university and the city, university materials indicate.

Since Schall took office, Oglethorpe increased its net assets by 174 percent, while reducing total debt by 51 percent, according to university materials he university increased its annual revenue by 152 percent; increased its endowment by 157 percent; increased enrollment by 50.8 percent and increased its philanthropic giving with more than $130 million raised.

During his tenure, Schall has been an advocate for DACA students or DREAMers, university materials indicate. In 2019, Oglethorpe partnered with TheDream.US to offer scholarships to undocumented students. Oglethorpe was the first partner institution in Georgia and the first across the county in a “locked out” state, where DREAMers coul not receive in-state tuition or state financial aid.

Shall also founded College Presidents for Gun Saftey in 2012, following the Sandy Hook tragedy, gaining the support of more than 300 college and university presidents and education leaders from across the country for gun safety on campuses, according to the university.