Fortunately is right.

“As some of you know, John is stepping down after 16 years as president of Stanford. Fortunately for me, I cannot do that to stick around longer than my term limit. John, I’m sure there are some people who want you to stick around longer, but I’m confident that you are going to do extraordinary things. And we could not be prouder of John and Stanford and the great work they have done. Please give him a big round of applause.”