NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Celebrated op-ed columnist Frank Rich, whose weekly opinion pieces help shape the national debate on current events, is leaving the New York Times after 31 years and joining New York Magazine.

Rich will join the magazine starting in June, NYMag.com reports. Rich will be editor-at-large, write monthly essays and more.

New York Magazine editor-in-chief Adam Moss called Rich “a giant-a powerhouse critic of politics and culture.”

Rich started his columnist duties on the Op-Ed page of the New York Times in 1994. He joined the times in 1980 as its chief drama critic.

Rich is the winner of the 2005 George Polk Award for commentary.

According to a press release, Rich said “I leave the [New York Times] with deep affection for both the institution and my many brilliant colleagues, and with much gratitude for the opportunity the paper gave me to serve in two dream jobs in journalism.”

What do you make of Rich’s departure? Is it a sign of trouble at the New York Times? Will it change your Sunday reading habits? Sound off in our comments section.