Resignation of Saint Mary's College President Remains a Mystery

Janice Cervelli’s decision last week to abruptly resign as president of Saint Mary’s College (IN) raised questions about whether something behind the scenes led to the move.  The decision, after all, came during the middle of the semester and was a shock to students at the Catholic women’s liberal arts college. But Mary Burke, chair of the college’s Board of Trustees, insists there was “no smoking gun” and that Cervelli resigned due to reasons she chose not to disclose. She said the board had no issues with Cervelli’s performance and didn’t influence her decision.  It came as a surprise, Burke said, when Cervelli called her last week to convey the news.