Statement by Guilford’s Board of Trustees
Statement by Kyle Farmbry
Kyle Farmbry has announced that he is stepping down as President of Guilford College after three years in the position. Trustees Jean Parvin Bordewich and Keith Millner ’82 will serve as Acting President and Acting Chief Operating Officer, respectively, beginning today, January 3. Trustees Carla Brenner ’73, Paula Sours ’76 and Daniel Mosca will join them on a Trustee Coordinating Committee.
“The Board of Trustees wishes to thank Kyle for three years of service to Guilford at a challenging time, during which he dealt with a number of unexpected crises including the cyberattack in 2022 and growing budget deficits,” said Bordewich, who currently serves as Chair of the Board. “His initiatives to make Guilford a visible presence and build relationships in greater Greensboro, nationally, and internationally have advanced the College in several ways.”
Farmbry was also instrumental in growing new programs, including Guilford’s MBA, and establishing new initiatives such as the Presidential Fellows, Guilford Rise (a summer institute for rising high school seniors), the Guilford Dialogues and Conceptualizing Peace forums. In addition, he established a more robust infrastructure that increased Guilford's funding from federal agencies.
“I take pride in so much that we have accomplished over the past several years including developing our strategic plan, elevating the visibility of Guilford in local, national, and international initiatives, and creating new opportunities for members of our community,” said Farmbry. “Most of all, I have enjoyed walking alongside our students on their journeys of discovery.”
Bordewich, who lives in Washington, D.C., had a long career as a senior staff member in the U.S. Senate and in philanthropy and is now a playwright and writer. Millner, a resident of Atlanta, Ga., is, co-founder/President of Coaching Catalyst, LLC. Brenner, also of Washington, D.C., is a retired contract writer for the National Gallery of Art. Sours lives in Greensboro and is the retired Director of Legal Counsel for SAS Institute. And Mosca, a long-term trustee who lives in Browns Summit, N.C., is an investor and former executive in the field of long-term care.
The Trustees in the interim leadership roles will be on campus meeting with faculty, staff and students as the spring semester begins the week of January 6, and they will have a regular presence in this interim period. Farmbry will serve as an advisor to the Board for a few months to assist with the transition.
“I am optimistic and excited about Guilford's future -- but first we must navigate out of our financial difficulties,” said Bordewich. “We have within us the ability and wisdom to change and adapt to the new era that has arrived in higher education and in the world. Together, Guilfordians -- all of us -- will find the way to a vibrant, sustainable future for our very special community.”