Earlier this week, Kansas University Alumni Association officials announced Kevin Corbett is stepping down as president of the nationally recognized association. On July 31, he will end an 11-year term as president.

This announcement likely came as a surprise and shock to many who now may be wondering or questioning why he would step down — or was forced to leave the association’s presidency.

The fact is he is leaving with the best wishes and thanks of those who serve as directors of the association. There are no hidden reasons. It is merely a case of Corbett thinking now is an ideal time to pursue other opportunities after 27 years in the field of higher education, 18 of which were at KU — seven years with the KU Endowment Association and 11 at the KUAA.

One of his closest long-time friends is president of Affiliated Builders Group headquartered in Edmond, Okla., with offices around the country and Corbett has accepted a job as executive vice president of that firm. Although he will be leaving the KU alumni position, he will continue to live in Lawrence. He is in his 40s, and he acknowledges his new job does not shut the door to other possible employment opportunities that might arise in the future.

In the difficult-to-understand environment of major universities, there always is speculation as to why high-profile administrators, deans, faculty members or coaches decide to move on. Were they forced out, didn’t get along with the chancellor, didn’t like the chancellor, maybe had a better job offer or were passed over for a coveted position, or what? None of these factors were involved in Corbett’s decision.

Now the task of association directors is to locate and hire an individual to move into the presidency.

In modern times, the KUAA has had three top-flight leaders who were ideal and highly effective during their time in office. Executive Secretary Fred Ellsworth served from 1924 to 1963, followed by Executive Director Dick Wintermote from 1963 to 1983 and Corbett, who moved into the president’s office in 2004. Fred Williams served as president from 1983 to 2004 but encountered difficult times.

The next president will enter the job probably at the tail end of the chancellorship of Bernadette Gray-Little and will serve an undetermined period with an acting chancellor and then during the first years of a new chancellor. These can be fragile times for a university.

Corbett has done an excellent job for KU. He has been a tireless worker. He is devoted to KU, and he has been highly effective. This year, for example, the association has hosted 400 events scattered across Kansas and the rest of the country.

The native Oklahoman’s mission and goal for the association has been, and continues to be, to “paint Kansas KU blue.” He has restructured the association and put together a good staff since he moved into his Adams Center office. New programs have been implemented to enhance student recruitment and the retention and recruitment of outstanding faculty, recognize academic achievements of high school students, strengthen the association’s VIP and Legacy programs, increase the number of paid members from its current level of 42,000, tell the KU story and represent the university in the best possible manner.

In many cases, representatives of the alumni association are the face of KU throughout Kansas and the nation and, under the direction of Corbett, they have been highly successful. In many ways, they have been the most effective voices representing the university when working with state legislators.

Corbett’s resignation is a loss for the KUAA as well as KU. The search and selection committee faces a tough challenge in replacing his talents.