Sharp to step down to attend Divinity School full time

Alexander Sharp has announced that he will step down as Vice President for Business Operations & Facilities to enter the Divinity School as a full-time student. Sharp enrolled this fall in the Divinity School on a part-time basis.

"This is an extraordinary decision by an extraordinary individual," said President Sonnenschein. "Al Sharp has devoted 14 years to our university, overseeing a complex budget and participating in major decisions that have affected the life and future of this University and its community. He has been a great asset.

"Al has given me time to allow for a smooth transition of leadership for those areas for which he is responsible. I will be working on this with my colleagues in the next few weeks.

"He has also agreed to my request that over the next year he take on a series of special projects. Some of these will coincide with his special interest in community service, including coordinating volunteer work by our students, faculty and staff and the University's involvement with the less advantaged." Sharp is serving this year as president of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

Sharp came to the University in 1979 as Director of the Office of Financial Planning & Budget and was named Vice President for Financial Affairs in 1980 and Vice President for Business & Finance in 1984. He assumed his present position in July.