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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The president of Columbia College is retiring next year.

The State newspaper reported that 65-year-old Caroline Whitson will retire June 30 after 11 years as leader of the private school for women.

Trustee chairman Lex Knox says he tried to talk Whitson into staying two more years but she said it was time to retire. Knox says the school hopes to have hired a replacement by April and May.

Whitson says it was hard to decide to leave the school she's led since 2001. She says she's most proud of the leadership development program the school has started.

Information from: The State, (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)