“I have the highest level of respect for Dr. Brasel and his decision to retire,” said Howard College President Dr. Cheryl Sparks. “He has done an outstanding job as Provost on our SWCID campus and we will miss him both professionally and personally.”

Brasel’s decision to retire comes amidst an ongoing student protest at the SWCID campus, although Howard College officials insist one has nothing to do with the other.

“I have been talking with Dr. Sparks about my consideration of retirement for several months. On March 28, I shared my intent to retire at the end of this contract year with Dr. Sparks but did not want to announce it until some personal details were finalized. Today I am enjoying my 60th birthday and it seemed the right time to announce my intention,” Brasel said.

“We knew it was going to look bad,” Sparks said of the announcement’s timing, “but we felt we just had to go forward ... Ron and I have talked about this for several months.”

“I had a life decision to make and although the timing is unfortunate, it is the decision I had to make for me and my family at this point in time,” Brasel added.

Brasel’s retirement is effective Aug. 31 and Sparks said officials hope to have a replacement named prior to that date.

Although the SWCID student protest was not aimed directly at Dr. Brasel, one item on the list of concerns presented by students was to have a deaf person named provost once Brasel retires.

Howard College officials will now begin the process of selecting a new provost while keeping the student request in mind.

“Howard College is an equal opportunity employer,” added Sparks, “and although I respect the students’ request, we certainly will not discriminate against anyone who meets the qualifications for the job.”

She added, however, that hiring a person “with the knowledge and experience in leading deaf students” would be a priority in the hiring process.

Brasel, who has been with Howard College for 21 years, will assist Sparks with the selection process.

Sparks and  Brasel are continuing to work directly with students to address issues brought forward in their protest.  

“We have the highest level of respect for the rights of our students, our administration and faculty,” Sparks said. “Dr. Brasel and I will continue to meet with our students to bring a peaceful conclusion to the protest as quickly as possible.”

Brasel, Sparks and other college officials plan another meeting with students at 8:45 p.m. Monday in the Maddox Student Center to further discuss issues raised by the student protest.

As issues are resolved, educating students remains the number one priority on campus. Sparks added.

“It is critical that we operate with business as usual during the time of resolution and of the transition in the position of Provost so that our students will continue to receive the highest quality of education during this time,” she said.

Staff Writer Steve Reagan contributed to this report.