Dartblog

There is a particular sound in people’s voices when they lay out concepts that they have made to work in practice. Freeman Hrabowski speaks with a clarity and conviction that has not been heard in these parts for a good many years. It’s all there: an emphasis on Dartmouth appreciating its strengths and focusing on undergraduates; understanding that the teaching in STEM fields needs to be reformed (a recurring theme in this space); and asserting that America’s future success lies in the creativity that comes through a liberal arts education. He understands how great the College could be.

Let’s assume that Princeton, Yale and Dartmouth are all interested in hiring Hrabowski as President. Why should he come here? Several reasons: a) At a smaller school he can achieve more, and more quickly, especially at a place like the College that is crying out for leadership in areas that he believes are important. b) The current Dartmouth administration is filled with acting/interim administrators: he can immediately hire his own team without ruffling feathers. c) The scope for freeing up resources in Hanover is immense: when Hrabowski looks at staffing levels and wage/benefits here and compares them to what he has made work in Maryland, he’ll see that in short order he will be able to transfer huge resources from wasteful support work to teaching and research. d) And if he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work improving the College, the faculty, students and alumni will embrace him. They will all see how thrilling real leadership can be.

What can I say; Hrabowski could be a great President in the Wheelock Succession.