ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. is stepping down from his position at the end of the academic year, the university announced Friday morning.

Father Jenkins became Notre Dame’s 17th president in 2005, according to the university website. He was re-elected for a fourth term in 2020.

In a statement, Father Jenkins said the following about his time at Notre Dame:

“Serving as President of Notre Dame for me, as a Holy Cross priest, has been both a privilege and a calling,” said Father Jenkins. “While I am proud of the accomplishments of past years, I am above all grateful for the trustees, benefactors, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends who made them possible. There is much to celebrate now, but I believe Notre Dame’s best years lie ahead.”

John J. Brennan, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees:

“Notre Dame is and has been incredibly blessed by Father Jenkins’ courageous and visionary leadership.Together with the remarkable leadership team he has assembled, he has devoted himself to advancing the University and its mission, fulfilling the promise he made when he was inaugurated — to work collaboratively to build a great Catholic university for the 21st century. This is an extraordinarily exciting time for Notre Dame, and we are confident that the next leader will take the University to even greater heights of accomplishment.”

A search is underway for the next president. They'll be chosen by the University's Board of Trustees from the priests of the Congregation of Holy Cross. 

Click here to read the full letter.