After working more than 40 years in various study abroad programs, executive director of Syracuse University’s Study Abroad department, Jon Booth, announced Wednesday that he will be retiring from his position this fall.

Booth will continue to work with provost Eric Spina in order to help SU Abroad transition through the spring, when he plans to officially retire from the university he said.

Booth has worked with SU Abroad for nearly 17 years, six of which he has been executive director, he said he feels it is time to retire. Prior to coming to SU, Booth spent 15 years as the director of the International Study and Travel Center at the University of Minnesota.

‘I’ve been involved in this field for over 40 years; I’m getting on in age and you never know how much time you have,’ Booth said. ‘I have things that I want to do that I haven’t been able to.’

Spina has worked closely with Booth on the day-to-day operations of SU Abroad and said he was not surprised when he heard that Booth was stepping down.

‘I knew he had been thinking about it from time to time,’ Spina said. ‘He has a family that he cares a lot about, including grandchildren. It wasn’t a shock, but it was very much a sense of loss.’

Carrie Abbott, associate director of SU Abroad, said she also had mixed emotions about Booth’s retirement.

‘I’m happy for him in taking this next adventure in his life, but we’re going to miss him very much,’ she said. ‘It’s difficult to imagine this place without him.’

Spina said he would be involved in finding a replacement, but isn’t sure if the university will look internally or externally for candidates.

Spina said he is looking for someone who has a deep understanding of international study, as well as someone who can work collaboratively with people both on and off-campus. But Abbott said finding a replacement for Booth will be difficult.

‘He’s just leaving really big shoes to fill,’ Abbott said. ‘He really leads with his heart. He very much cares about all of his employees and all of the students who walk through our doors.’

Booth said he has enjoyed working at SU Abroad, and is proud of what the faculty and staff have accomplished while he was in the department. He said he is particularly proud of the expansion of the program while he was executive director.

‘When I got here 17 years ago I think the program was Euro-centric in its focus, and that was somewhat indicative of the times and of the strengths that we had, but I’ve worked hard with others to develop opportunities in other parts of the world while helping to keep a strong European program,’ he said.

Booth said other study abroad opportunities, such as the short-term and summer programs, have helped the department meet students’ needs.

‘I’m really proud of all of the work that staff and faculty of SU Abroad around the globe have partnered with me to do across the years,’ Booth said. ‘I am retiring with my head held high.’

snbouvia@syr.edu

Published on June 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephanie: snbouvia@syr.edu | @snbouvia