The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has conferred the status of President Emerita upon longtime West Chester University of Pennsylvania President Madeleine Wing Adler, who plans to retire in June.

Dr. Adler was named president of West Chester University in August 1992. Her commitment to attracting, enrolling and graduating students from a wide variety of educational, cultural and economic backgrounds has created a University population of students and faculty that is among the most diverse in PASSHE.

West Chester has achieved record enrollments and the number of applications for admission to the University received each year has nearly doubled during Dr. Adler's tenure. She oversaw two successful capital campaigns and also contributed on a national level as a member of the Board of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Dr. Adler has made significant contributions both to West Chester University and to the entire State System, said PASSHE Chancellor Judy G. Hample, in recommending her for the special recognition by the Board. “She has become a trusted friend and colleague,” Dr. Hample said.

To be eligible for emeritus status, an individual must have spent at least five continuous years in his or her leadership position and have shown “an exemplary record of service through the demonstrated commitments of time, talent and resources” to PASSHE.

Dr. Adler is only the fourth president to be granted emeritus status in PASSHE’s nearly 25-year history. The others are Tony Ceddia, former president of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; Joseph Caputo, former president of Millersville University of Pennsylvania; and Diane Reinhard, former president of Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

With more than 110,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. The 14 PASSHE universities offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Approximately 405,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.