Grove City College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 announced Tuesday that he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.
“King Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Guided by this wisdom, I have decided that this coming academic year will mark the end of my season as president of Grove City College,” McNulty said in a statement to the College community.
Trustee Chair Edward D. Breen ’78 expressed the board’s appreciation for McNulty’s service and his contributions to “a time of great forward momentum” for the College.
“Paul’s leadership has made the past decade a historic era of success for Grove City College. His innovative, energetic, and winsome style has truly been transformative,” he said.
During McNulty’s tenure, Breen said the College has seen applications reach a 20-year high; doubled its endowment and set fundraising records; expanded academic offerings – including establishing schools of nursing and business and a new graduate studies program; launched innovative initiatives focused on rural ministry and faith and public life; revitalized worship and discipleship opportunities with a revised Chapel program; revamped its varsity athletics programs to reach new heights of success and national recognition; and prioritized the renovation of key campus buildings and improvement of services with special emphasis on the dining experience.
McNulty became the College’s ninth president after a 30-year legal career in Washington, D.C., which included service as U.S. Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, senior attorney in the U.S. Congress, and private practice.
Leading his alma mater is “the most professionally fulfilling experience of my life,” McNulty said. “When I took on this challenge in 2014, I didn’t anticipate the amount of joy I would experience from the day-to-day engagement with students. After losing my son to cancer in late 2012, the Lord knew exactly what I needed. Shepherding our tremendous flock of Grovers is the best part of this job, and, frankly, the hardest to give up. Learning, living, and growing together on this beautiful campus is a fantastic experience.
McNulty and First Lady Brenda (Millican ’80) McNulty are known for their dedication to students, deep faith, and a commitment to Grove City College’s vision, mission, and values. Leaving the College will be bittersweet, he said.
“As much as Brenda and I will miss life at GCC, this is an excellent time to begin a transition to the tenth president,” he said. “The Lord has richly blessed us with increased enrollment, historic financial strength, many exciting new programs, projects, and opportunities, and an exceptionally strong Christ-centered community. Most importantly, we have strengthened our resolve to advance Christian education while remaining committed to the enduring and conservative principles undergirding Western Civilization. Enhancing our Christian foundation has been the number one priority.”
Retirement plans aren’t set yet, McNulty said, but he and Mrs. McNulty are looking forward to spending more time with their family, which includes a growing brood of grandchildren, and seeing where God leads them next.
“I’m excited about how the Lord might use my energies in my next season of life. I hope to contribute to the success of the new Center for Faith & Public Life while finding new opportunities to lead and serve in the advancement of his kingdom in this world,” McNulty said.