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President of Spelman College to Retire

After 12 years of leadership, Spelman College President Beverly Tatum will retire from the all-female historically Black institution next June.

After 12 years of leadership, Spelman College President Beverly Tatum will retire from her position next June.

The leader of the all-female historically Black institution raised $157.8 million during its fundraising campaign, surpassing its goals. The funds have gone toward Spelman's annual fund, campus improvement, academic initiatives and new scholarships for students. 
"It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as the president of Spelman College for the last 12 years," Tatum said in a video statement. "I have cherished the opportunity and I take great pride in what we have accomplished together," she continued. 

Tatum, who will turn 60 this year, said she will return to her life as a scholar and a writer after she passes the baton to the next president. One of her first projects post-presidency will be the 20th anniversary of her 1997 book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports

Tatum has her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan and her master's in religious studies from Hartford Seminary. In her career she has published several books on the topics of race relations and Black identity.

Follow Natelege Whaley on Twitter: @Natelege_

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(Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

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