Bright, a friend to students, community-minded, congenial.
These are only a few of the sentiments shared by faculty, administrators and friends about the newly minted ninth president of the University, Richard Brodhead, dean of Yale College and the A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University. In a press conference Dec. 12, the Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Brodhead to succeed President Nan Keohane when she steps down June 30, 2004.
Brodhead, who spoke to members of the press and the University community, impressed the audience with his outgoing personality.
"I think he did a remarkable job of engaging the audience," said Ruth Wade Ross, past-president of the Duke Alumni Association and a member of the presidential search committee. "It was the same affability that we saw in his interviews."
Many agreed that Brodhead's experiences in academia--both as a professor and as dean of Yale College--have prepared him well for the position; however, it was his character that stood out dramatically as a hallmark of his style of leadership. "I liked his sense of humor," said William Chafe, dean of the faculty of Arts and Sciences. "I liked his sense of aspiration for the University--I think that he will take over and build on a very strong foundation and carry us forward."
Karla Holloway, dean of humanities and social sciences, noted how Brodhead's remarks reflected well on his promise as the new president. "He articulated exactly the spirit of focus and community that we would want for Duke," she said. "He's just such a brilliant choice for the presidency."
Brodhead, who has published many books on American literature and was described by Board of Trustees Chair Peter Nicholas as "amazingly intelligent," is also known as someone who has overwhelming concern for students, which many said will be an added bonus in his future role.
"He looks at everything through the lens of the impact on students," Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta said. "For me, it's just so exciting to have a president, as with Dr. Keohane, who at every turns asks him- or herself, 'How is this going to affect students?'"
Vice President for Campus Services Kemel Dawkins, who worked with Brodhead at Yale, reaffirmed Moneta's views. "He is a great champion for students and a great intellectual leader," he said.
Editor's Note: A version of these articles originally appeared on The Chronicle's website Dec. 12, the day the hiring of President-elect Brodhead was announced.
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