President Lytch To Retire
October 19, 2019
President Carol E. Lytch has announced her plan to retire June 30, 2020, after completing nine years as president of the graduate school of theology. The Rev. Dr. Lytch, 64, was installed in 2011 as the Seminary’s 11th president. She was the first female president of the school, which was founded in 1825.
“It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve as president of one of the oldest and most venerable seminaries in the U.S.,” Lytch said. “We say that Lancaster Seminary is where God transforms us to transform others and the world. God has transformed me through this remarkable Seminary community. This work has summoned all the gifts that I had to offer and required me to develop other skills for this complex role. It has brought much joy as I witnessed graduating classes go out into the world to share their talents with God’s people. In the spring, I will leave this beloved institution well equipped to continue to faithfully serve the needs of our students, the Church and the wider world.”
Brian R. Bodager, chair of the Lancaster Seminary Board of Trustees, remarked, “President Lytch has successfully guided Lancaster Theological Seminary through times of great change in the Church and theological education during which other seminaries closed or merged. Under Carol’s leadership, Lancaster Seminary has new, more accessible academic programs, a beautifully renovated campus with technology that supports the modern classroom and online learning, an increased endowment, new educational partnerships, and stable enrollment. We are grateful to President Lytch for her dedicated service that allows Lancaster Seminary to look forward to a bright future.”
The Board now begins work to identify and select a qualified interim president to start on July 1, 2020. A Presidential Search Committee will be established at a later date.
Plans will be made to honor President Lytch’s service to the Seminary in the spring.
President Lytch and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Stephens G. Lytch, plan to remain in Lancaster after her retirement.