Dan Lambert, president of Baker University for nearly 18 years, has announced plans for retirement.

Lambert will retire at the end of the 2005-2006 school year, he told trustees, faculty, staff and students during meetings Friday.

Lambert, who turns 65 in January, said he thought it was time to step down.

“I believe the university is ready for new leadership,” he said. “Baker’s accomplished a great deal, but there’s more that needs to be done. I sense the time is right for new leadership.”

Baker trustees plan to launch a national search for a replacement.

Baker has about 3,000 students enrolled in its College of Arts and Sciences campus in Baldwin, its School of Professional and Graduate Studies in Overland Park and its School of Nursing in Topeka.