Kendell, 64, announced Wednesday that he will retire in December.

"I started teaching in 1967 and so I've been doing education things for 40 years," Kendell said. "I feel like I'm at a point where I hope I've done some good things, made some contributions and can move to a different season in my life."

Kendell, an Ogden native, joined the higher education office in 2003.

Among projects he listed as highlights of his tenure are the Utah Scholar Program, which encourages high school students to take rigorous courses and for which he secured federal and state funding, and a campaign that encourages young people to prepare for and complete college.

Part of his job was persuading lawmakers to support his initiatives. The 2007 session, he said, was the best in 20 years in terms of higher education funding. "I feel very good about that," Kendell said.

Other significant projects on his list include partnerships developed among colleges and universities, and the K-16 Alliance, which involves public and higher education working together.

Jed Pitcher, chairman of the Board of Regents, said he was not surprised by the news but is sorry to lose Kendell.

Pitcher described Kendell as a tremendous communicator with skills that he gained in the business world and in public and higher education. "That made him a perfect fit for this position, and he executed all the skills to perfection."

Kendell began his career as an English teacher at Ogden High School in 1967 and was a Davis School District superintendent before being appointed deputy for education by former Gov. Michael Leavitt.

Weber State University President F. Ann Millner said she was surprised by the news. "He really has been a superb commissioner," Millner said.

Aside from their work in the past few years, Millner and Kendell were colleagues during his time as superintendent in Davis.

"He has brought a commitment to higher education and a fundamental belief on its importance to the individual and to the state," Millner said of Kendell, a graduate of Weber State.

Once retired, Kendell said he plans to do some teaching, writing, consulting work and community and humanitarian service, as well as raising money for scholarships. He and his wife of 42 years plan on getting around to travel that has been put off, Kendell said. The search for a new commissioner will begin later this summer.