Brother William Mann, the president of St. Mary's University of Minnesota, announced he plans to step down next May after 10 years in office.

Mann, 70, disclosed his plans in a letter Tuesday to the campus community. The university has 5,800 students on two campuses, in Winona and Minneapolis.

"While I am in good health, it seems appropriate that I prepare to change the intensity and the pace of activities and take the opportunity to spend more time with my family," wrote Mann, who is originally from New York. He said he plans to return to the East Coast after finishing his term, which ends May 31.

Before moving to Minnesota, he spent almost 30 years as a leader of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He began his career as an English and religion teacher at Christian Brothers high schools in New York and Rhode Island, and eventually rose to vicar general of the Catholic teaching order.

The university's board of trustees is expected to announce soon a search for his successor, he wrote. Mann was named the university's 13th president in 2008.

Maura Lerner • 612-673-7384