Writings & Remarks

Chief of Staff Transition

November 8, 2024

Tags Public Statements

Dear Hamilton Community,

Late last week, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Gill King informed me of her plans to retire effective December 31. Those of you who know Gill and have worked with her the past six years in the President’s Office, and before that in the Dean of Faculty Office, know we are losing a truly effective, resourceful, and kindhearted friend, colleague, and champion for Hamilton.

In addition to her regular responsibilities in the President’s Office, which often required her being available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, Gill skillfully managed multiple overlapping senior staff searches, took on the added task of supervising the Communications and Marketing Office while the College searched for a new vice president, and deftly managed the transition between presidents. No matter the number of demanding tasks she was juggling at any one time, she created a warm, positive, and supportive working environment in the President’s Office.

Gill has been thinking about making this move for some time, so I’m grateful that she delayed her plans to help me acclimate to Hamilton. She has been a reliable colleague and a trusted confidant whose excellent judgment and loyalty to Hamilton have been enormously helpful to me in my first few months on campus. I encourage you to reach out to Gill to thank her for her service and to wish her well in retirement.

When Gill retires, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Planning Mike Klapmeyer has agreed to take on additional responsibilities as interim chief of staff and secretary to the board of trustees while we undertake a national search to fill the position permanently. I’m grateful to Mike for his willingness to take on this extra role for the College.

Steven