BANGOR, Maine – Husson University’s Bill Beardsley has announced plans to step down from the Husson presidency at the end of calendar 2009, according to a news release.

In a letter to Husson Board Chairman Arthur Fuller, Beardsley noted, “Husson is in good shape, it has momentum, it has a precious, shared sense of mission and leadership abounds. This is a good time for me to hand over the reins.” Beardsley has served as president and CEO since 1987. He is also CEO of the New England School of Communications.

Chairman Fuller commended Beardsley.

“Bill strengthened university finances, expanded enrollments, established schools of health, education, science and humanities and pharmacy and brought the New England School of Communications, the Eastport Boat School and Unobskey College under the Husson umbrella. This past year we graduated out first doctoral students, added major facilities and officially changed our name from Husson College to Husson University. All this and more has been accomplished on Bill’s watch. Knowing him, he will continue to work 24/7 for the next eleven months while the Board sets out to find a new leader. He is an outstanding president and will be missed,” Fuller said in the release.

As for what lies ahead for him personally, Beardsley said he is focused on wrapping up unfinished business at Husson and on getting more involved in advancing Maine’s economy.

“I want to graduate another class, visit with Husson’s supporters and alumni, see the professional phase of pharmacy get under way and the law school staffed up and moving towards final approval. My goal is to bring in record enrollments next September and then attend the grand opening of our new performing arts center, Gracie Theater. As for the future, I chair the Maine Development Foundation, serve on the board of the Finance Authority of Maine and I plan to get more involved in expanding the Maine economy in some significant way,” said Beardsley.