Belmont’s Notre Dame de Namur University’s president is retiring in 2026 after leading the Catholic university through several transformations, including its shift toward online courses and a sale agreement with the investment arm of University of California.
Beth Martin, who previously held roles at Gonzaga University and Academic Search, an executive search firm, said she had been planning to retire in 2026 for a while, since the start of her contract in 2021. That is also around the time when the university began shifting its educational offerings toward virtual learning and graduate students, with about 80% of its programs now online. The subsequent change in the student body also meant that that university wasn’t fully using its 97-acre property.
“It hasn’t been easy to pivot over the past four years,” Martin said. “We’ve come such a long way … I’m feeling really good about this decision because NDNU’s future is really bright, and I’m happy to leave on an optimistic note.”
During the same year Martin assumed her role, Stanford University had announced its plans to enter into an option-to-purchase agreement with the historic university, and it had been partnering with the city on developing a special zoning district to allow for a range of uses, including 50 to 200 housing units. But in February, Stanford announced it wouldn’t pursue its original development plans and instead, the investment arm of University of California announced the sale agreement for the property.
NDNU will still occupy the campus for up to five years after the sale before it transitions to a new location in the county.
“President Martin’s visionary leadership has secured a sustainable future for NDNU while staying true to our Catholic mission and commitment to social justice,” Jean Stoner, chair of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Board of Trustees, said in a press release. “She has been a catalyst for thoughtful change during a time of great challenge in higher education.”
NDNU will search for a new president over the next year.
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