On August 4, 2020, President Tom Manley announced his intent to retire as Antioch College president at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year ending June 30, 2021. In an update about the transition process, on October 18, Antioch College Board of Trustees Chair Maureen Lynch announced to the College community that the Board of Trustees plans to name Manley president emeritus of the College effective December 1, 2020 in recognition of the work President Manley has completed during his tenure at Antioch College in a particularly difficult period for the College and higher education at large.

President Manley will continue to serve the College through the end of his contract, which ends June 30. Manley will work closely with the Board and others as requested on fundraising, partnership, strategic initiatives, communications, and projects that advance the Antioch College Works program and the College’s distinctive applied liberal arts approach. These are roughly the same areas of attention the College outlined for the transition year when President Manley announced his retirement in August.

For some time, President Manley has been monitoring a recurrence of prostate cancer. After evaluating the medical options and consulting with his family, he has decided to seek a combination treatment involving both hormone and radiation therapy, which is likely to last six months or more.

In a letter to alumni and friends of the College, President Manley wrote, “The Board has encouraged me to prioritize my health and developed a leadership transition plan that will work well for the College.”

President emeritus is a permanent, honorary title, and the president emeritus holds the same teaching and research privileges as a retired member of the faculty.

After his retirement on June 30, 2021, Manley may be called upon to offer counsel, historical perspective, and other service to the institution’s board, leadership, and/or community as requested and agreed to mutually as is typical for presidents emeriti.