Editorial

Picking a president

By Editorial Staff

How do you pick a leader for a school that prides itself on leadership within the academic community and boasts of sending leaders into all different facets of the world? As our cover story notes, the 18 member Presidential Search Committee is well under way in their quest to name Joan Hinde Stewart’s successor. The committee is made up of 10 trustees, 3 professors, 3 administrators and 2 students. While students are understandably the least represented group on the committee, none of the administrators come from student life, signaling the strong emphasis the trustees place on this decision as an academic and business one.

The search committee has been evasive in answering specific questions about the nature of the search and candidates considered. Chairman of the Board of Trustees Steve Sadove ’73, who is also serving as co-chair of the search committee boasts of “a great deal of interest,” in the position. The committee must navigate what is most likely a diverse array of candidates that will include lifelong academics and others who are more entrenched in other fields like business and law. While faculty members of the committee most likely will and should argue for a serious academic, we at The Spectator would like to put in a plug for a vibrant personality who will be a presence on campus. Hamilton’s campus, equipped with a culture oft-described as freakishly friendly, would benefit from a leader who will become beloved by the student body.  

Most people would agree that Hamilton is an a much better place now than it was when President Stewart arrived on the Hill in 2003. The September 5, 2003 issue of the The Spectator, the first issue of that academic year led with two stories: “President Stewart takes reins,” and “Hamilton slips in rankings.” In the then newly released 2004 guide Hamilton dropped from 18th to 21st. In the 2016 rankings released this week, Hamilton is tied for 14th. While these rankings are obviously not the end all be all of college performance it is a clear indicator that Hamilton is well positioned compared to its peers. Under Stewart’s leadership, Hamilton has prospered. The next president, building on her accomplishments and equipped with additional skill sets, could take the College to the next level.

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