Editor’s Note: The story was updated to reflect the recent announcement from President John Kelly on his decision to step down.

FAU President John Kelly will step down after eight years, according to an email from Board of Trustees Chairman Brad Levine.

“Dr. Kelly will remain as president until the end of this calendar year,” Levine wrote. “In the New Year, as University President Emeritus, he will focus his efforts on two roles that are very important to him: On a personal level, his family, and on a professional level, steering FAU to the Carnegie R1 classification for ‘very high research activity.’”

In a recent email, Kelly said his decision to step down was not only right for him but also for the university.

“My new role as University President Emeritus will afford me the time and flexibility to complete certain projects that are important to me personally, and are important to the Board of Trustees, also,” wrote Kelly.

Levine said he will update the community on the next steps throughout the coming weeks, including appointing an interim president and conducting a national search to find the eighth president in the university’s history.

“The search will be a comprehensive, methodical, all-inclusive effort and will involve our faculty, business leaders, philanthropic supporters, and other friends of the university,” wrote Levine.

He concluded the letter listing some of Kelly’s accomplishments throughout the years, including playing a major role in putting together the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, and providing the university and Boca Raton a new level of television exposure with the move to the American Athletic Conference.

“As the opportunities arise, please thank President Kelly. The university owes him our gratitude,” Levine wrote.

Kelly said the university will remain in good hands when he leaves office.

“I know this will be the case because your important work will continue under the new leadership,” Kelly wrote. “After all, it truly is the students, faculty, and staff who make this university so successful.”

Richard Pereira is the News Editor for the University Press. For information regarding this or other stories, email [email protected] or tweet him @Rich26Pereira.