DiMarco, Cranbrook's president, to retire

Dominic DiMarco, Cranbrook Education Community President, announced on Tuesday, October 8, that he will retire from the position at the end of the academic year in June 2020.

DiMarco, who started at Cranbrook in 2008 as its chief operating office, became the education community's eighth president in 2012.

During DiMarco's tenure, Cranbrook opened an exploreLab at Cranbrook Institute of Science and an Art Lab at Cranbrook Art Museum, launched Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Free admission was implemented to Cranbrook Gardens and a partnerships was started with MIT in Massachusetts at Cranbrook Schools. In addition, multiple major gifts were secured, capital projects were completed and a master plan was outlined that will continue to extend Cranbrook's legacy as a leading center for education, art and science.

“Cranbrook has been the most fulfilling time of my professional life and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the trust and special relationships that have developed with trustees, governors, parents, alumni and, of course, our faculty and staff during my time here,” DiMarco said in a statement to the community. “My first steps on campus were as a father at the front door of Brookside, and have resulted in a memorable journey that I will reflect upon for my lifetime.”

He continued, “There remains much to do and I am firmly committed to advancing the goals and objectives laid out for the year ahead. I am confident that our leadership team will ensure that our forward momentum continues during this transition. I look forward to supporting the next president of Cranbrook and the future of this great institution.”

Cranbrook Educational Community announced it is in the early stages of a national search for its next president. A search committee has been formed, and Cranbrook has retained Isaacson Miller to assist with identifying and recruiting candidates for DiMarco’s successor. The search is expected to conclude in the spring of 2020.

“Given Cranbrook’s international reputation, its legacy, strength and promise for the future, we are confident our opportunity will attract highly qualified and visionary applicants,” said Dr. Linda H. Gillum, Cranbrook Board of Trustees First Vice-Chair and co-chair of the President Search Committee along with Jamison Williams Faliski. “Dom has made an extraordinary contribution to all areas of Cranbrook and his retirement is well-earned. On behalf of chairman Mark Reuss and our fellow trustees, we congratulate him on beginning the final leg of his historic journey at Cranbrook.”