Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert announced Friday he would retire in June 2008, according to NBC4.com.
Swygert's decision to retire came several weeks after faculty members called for his resignation. The letter from the faculty senate to the school board, marking long-standing tension between Swygert and the faculty senate, described Swygert as, "incompetent."
Serving since 1995, Swygert was the fourth president in six years, The Washington Post reported.
Now 64, Swygert said he wanted to bid a proper farewell to the senior class, which graduates May 12, before focusing on the next phase of his life, according to the Post.
"We just finished a great capital campaign, this is a terrific class and Oprah [Winfrey] is going to be our commencement speaker," Swygert said. "What better time? I would hate to have any of my soon-to-be graduates say to me, 'Why didn't you tell us?'"
Addison Rand, chairman of the school board, said Swygert had an "obvious love for the institution."
The school board has begun the search process for Howard's 16th president, Rand said.
