Ursinus College's Board of Trustees has tapped interim president Gundolf Graml as the school's 20th president, solidifying the leadership arrangement that carried the campus through last year's sudden leadership change. Graml, a German-studies scholar who arrived as provost in February 2024 and became interim president in October, is stepping into the permanent role effective immediately. The decision keeps an internal candidate at the helm, one who has been closely associated with the college's new career-focused APEX curriculum while the institution pares costs.
Board praises steady interim leadership
As reported by PHILADELPHIA.Today, Board chair Joseph M. DeSimone praised Graml's tenure as interim leader and said the appointment reflects the board's strong confidence in his vision for Ursinus. Graml told the outlet he was "honored by the board’s confidence" and "grateful for the support of the Ursinus community," according to the announcement.
APEX and Go Global are central to his agenda
Ursinus has been building APEX, which stands for Applied. Professional. Experiential., as the backbone of its curriculum, rolling out an Experiential Learning Week this January that placed nearly 450 first-year students in hands-on projects and employer shadowing, according to Ursinus College. The "Go Global" program, integrated into Experiential Learning Week and included in regular tuition, is scheduled to begin in spring 2027, per Ursinus College.
Budget squeeze and faculty reductions
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Ursinus has posted operating losses in recent years and that December cuts eliminated roughly 23% of full-time faculty, saving about $3 million. The paper also notes that Graml told staff the college is aiming to reduce about $10 million from the operating budget by fiscal 2027 and has already trimmed contracts and paused nonessential spending to find savings.
Campus reaction
On campus, the response has been mixed. Student reporters and editorial writers have criticized the cuts, even as some students and faculty point to an interim president who has been visible and willing to talk. A Grizzly opinion essay observed that Graml often eats in the dining hall and noted, "If we happen to make eye contact, I smile, because he is friendly," a small moment that the writer said highlights how students have noticed his hands-on presence.The Grizzly
What’s next for Ursinus
The board decided against launching a national search, choosing instead an internal hire it said can steady the college's course. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Ursinus is seeing a 22% increase in applications and a 14.5% rise in deposits so far, numbers the college hopes will help offset recent losses. Graml's immediate task will be to expand career-connected offerings while continuing to oversee budget reductions and structural changes in the coming year.
