BLACKSBURG, Va., April 9 -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University issued the following news release:

To Hokies everywhere,

There is no better role in higher education than to serve as president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. With our commitment to service in the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), our engaged presence in every community in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our growing research impact across the globe, stewarding Virginia Tech as president over the last dozen years has been the most fulfilling experience of my career. It is now time, while Virginia Tech has momentum on so many fronts, for me to start the process of stepping aside so that the next president can take the baton in fu...