The president of the Chautauqua Institution has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this year. Thomas Becker issued a letter outlying his decision to leave.
Becker's announcement comes just days after the Institution's board of directors voted to demolish the historic Chautauqua Amphitheater. The building has been at the center of controversy, but a group working to save it.
However, in a WBFO News interview, Becker said it was not a factor for his decision to retire.
"I fully respect that there are people at the end of the day who will disagree about where you conclude on that, but I also think there is a level of visceral. It's discouraging, but it is not in anyway a factor of this decision," replied Becker.
Becker said his reasons to retire are both personal and organizational. In his letter, he notes that Institutions Promise Campaign, with the goal of raising more than $98.2 million. Becker said with the philanthropic element and a strategic plan, it is the right time for him to retire.
Becker has been with the Institution for 32 years and served the last 13-as president.
"I think it is appropriate the Institution seek its next leader. Get that person in place for the 2017 season so that she or he can begin to acquire the kind of orientation to what's here to then lead that visioning and strategic process going forward, so I think it is perfect institution timing," said Becker.
But highly critical of Becker's timing to leave is the leader of the effort to save the Amphitheater complex.
Brian Berg, chair of the Committee to Preserve the Historic Chautauqua Amphitheater, tells WBFO Becker's timing to leave once demolition is complete could complete the major construction project at the Institution.
"Well the going is getting tough and he's exiting. It's kind of rather surprising, but he's certainly has moved the ball down field and signed off on the death certificate of the amphitheater and I guess he's allowing himself some time to ride the bulldozer, and then he's going to get off and hand the project off the project to who, we're not sure," stated Berg.
Berg refers to Becker's legacy of 'division and demolition'. Berg leads the SavetheAmp.org site. Berg accuses the process regarding the amphitheater project as 'tarnished'
Berg said there have many people we have heard from that have called for a delay in this process. The board voted in favor of demolition on December 30, 2015.
"This is really a division and a divide -- the legacy that Tom Becker will leave and I don't think it's going to be resolved in his final leave," said Berg.
Becker responded to Berg's criticism calling it Berg's 'perspective'.
"I've made it very clear to the Institution that I am not abandoning this project in anyway. The delivery of this project, on time and on budget, is very much something I am invested in and will stay invested in. If I am needed, will do that. I'm not sure I will be needed," said Becker.
Becker tells WBFO he would be willing to stay from January of 2017 to the June 2017 until the 'delivery of the fully completed amphitheater' is ready, but he does not expect that to happen.
Becker said he expects the board to begin a search process to select the next leader. The board's next meeting is scheduled for early February. Becker said he is giving a full-year notice to help avoid the need to name an interim leader. "I believe this would be a seamless transition" noted Becker.
Below is the full text of Becker's letter announcing his retirement plans:
January 5, 2016
Dear Chautauquans,
Let me begin by wishing you a very happy new year. I hope 2016 is a year of good health, intellectual growth, spiritual awakening, creative expression and compassionate contribution. In short, I hope your experience of this New Year will embody the best of the values of Chautauqua Institution
I also write to share some personal news. Jane and I have thought deeply about our time at Chautauqua and particularly about the inevitable conclusion to what has been a long and remarkable time in service to this Institution. We have decided that 2016 will be the final year I will serve as president of Chautauqua Institution. There are a number of personal and organizational reasons for this decision that I would like to share with you.
From an organizational perspective we are fast approaching the conclusion of the strategic plan that seeks to ensure the sustainability of this grand undertaking. The Promise Campaign, designed to stimulate the development of programmatic and physical infrastructure with gifts totaling over $98.2 million, will conclude at the end of 2016. Notably, within the campaign, the renewed Amphitheater and the endowment of facilities and key staff and artistic positions are statements about the security of assets into the future. Outside of philanthropy, the investments in the Athenaeum Hotel ensure structural integrity, steady renovation and operational innovation. The annual care of the streets, walkways, gardens, and trees has increased dramatically. The transition of leadership within religion, the arts and operations have secured the necessary talent and energy needed to manage the forward development of Chautauqua. These achievements are breathtaking in their scale and in the confidence, vitality and capacity of our work that they reflect.
These achievements also call for a broad and deep conversation about what lies ahead. Indeed, the Institution’s success in these endeavors requires us to think critically and creatively about the next phase of the Institution’s advancement. It is therefore the appropriate time to seek leadership that will help develop that vision and steer the articulation and achievement of a new strategic approach.
From a personal perspective, 2016 will begin my 32nd year in service to Chautauqua. I will have had the distinct privilege of serving the last thirteen as president. The work has been demanding, challenging and creative. The people I have worked with at the board, staff and volunteer levels have, to a person, shared an emotional and intellectual commitment to the sustainability and betterment of the Institution. My life has been enriched beyond measure by the extraordinary talent, integrity and character of the people who grace our various stages and platforms. And there is simply no better view of our capacity as a nation to come to grips with the complexity and challenges of our time than the one I have enjoyed from the platform watching you, all of you Chautauquans, engage with ideas, art and matters of faith. You bring your life experience, critical reasoning, commitment to ideals and the courage to challenge your own beliefs to these programs. You affect how the presenters process their views and you lift my confidence in the ultimate capacity of reason and faith to lift the human condition.
I remain convinced that Chautauqua Institution offers our complex and dangerous world a model of assembly and learning that in its practice holds the promise of reasoned and faithful progress for individuals and society at large. And I am confident that the time beyond my service will shine as the finest in our long, rich history. There is much to do during the coming year. I look forward to the many challenges and opportunities 2016 will bring and I look forward to seeing all of you at Chautauqua.
Thomas M. Becker
President
Chautauqua Institution
