Hillsdale College president resigns

Neither George Roche III nor school officials would comment in detail on the retirement, which followed a meeting with the Board of Trustees. Roche had been on a leave of absence from his $188,000-a-year-post since Nov. 1, shortly after his son spoke with trustees about an undisclosed topic.

AP PHOTO Robert Blackstock speaks to reporters after being named acting president of Hillsdale College yesterday, replacing George Roche III.

"The combined pressures of his personal health and private family life make this step necessary," the board said in a short statement. Roche has diabetes.

Roche, 64, had headed the 1,200-student school since 1971. He endeared himself to conservatives when he declared in 1985 that Hillsdale would not accept federal financial aid because it would come with too many government strings, such as affirmative action and Title IX financing for women's sports.

Under his presidency, the school's endowment rose from $4 million to $172 million.

"We have proved that integrity, values and courage can still triumph in a corrupt world," Roche said in a letter released by

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