The president of Carleton University has resigned abruptly.

The university issued a news release at 6 p.m. ET on Monday announcing that David W. Atkinson was no longer president and vice-chancellor, effective immediately.

Atkinson's duties will be carried out temporarily by Samy Mahmoud, Carleton's acting provost and vice-president (academic).

Atkinson, president for only 15 months, said in an interview that he couldn't say much about his decision because he signed a confidentiality agreement with the university.

But he said the resignation came out of a "very substantial conversation" during a meeting with David Dunn, chair of the board of governors and Margaret Dacey, chair of the board's human resources committee.

Dunn said in a statement that the board accepted Atkinson's resignation "in the best interest of the university."

He did not specify why Atkinson had resigned. However, his statement said: "It is vitally important that the board of governors and the president be aligned on the issues and on the relationship necessary to move forward in a cohesive way."

Atkinson said he will continue to work as a professor in the English department.

Colleagues say resignation is a loss

On Monday night, Atkinson's colleagues expressed surprise and disappointment at his abrupt resignation while attending an annual university event that the president normally attends.

The university community was celebrating the achievements of choral director Barbara Jean Clark, winner of the 2006 A.D. Dunton Award, the highest honour the university gives to alumni.

But not everyone was talking about Clark — many were focused on Atkinson's departure.

Don Beecher, who has been an English professor at the university since the 1960s, said the resignation came without warning.

"As recently as eight or 10 days ago, he was still talking in long-distance plans about ambitions he had for the university," Beecher said. "You know, as a colleague, I'm just devastated … I thought Atkinson was really a godsend to this university."

Beecher praised Atkinson's long-term vision and the way he deals with people.

Rosemary Hoey, a part-time instructor in the English department, said the university has lost a leader.

"His focus, his enthusiasm was infectious and certainly … he will be sorely, sorely missed.:

The board of governors was scheduled to accept Atkinson's resignation formally following a discussion Tuesday morning.

Atkinson began his academic career in Alberta.

After 15 years at the University of Lethbridge, he became dean of arts and science at the University of Saskatchewan in 1991. He joined Brock University as its president in 1997 and remained there until taking up his post at Carleton in August 2005.