President of St. John's to step down next year

Citing the stress of the job, the president of St. John's University in Collegeville says he'll step down when his three-year term ends next year.

Father Bob Koopmann took over as leader of the private central Minnesota Catholic college two years ago.

St. John's University spokesman Michael Hemmesch says Koopmann announced his move now to give the college more than a year to find his replacement.

"This was president Koopmann's decision on his own that he felt was best for himself and for the future of the university," said Hemmesch.

Koopman, 64, graduated from St. John's in 1968 and was ordained a priest in 1981. He taught music at the college starting in 1975.

All 12 of St. John's presidents have been members of the St. John's Abbey monastic community.