A Message from the Board Chair
Dear members of the Northwestern community,
I write on behalf of the Board of Trustees to announce the launch of the search for Northwestern’s 18th president.
Northwestern continues to shine as one of the great research universities in the nation and across the globe. Despite recent burdensome pressures on the University, our community has not only persevered but continued to excel in ways that reflect the strength, resolve, and ingenuity of Wildcats across our campuses. We have launched new research institutes and centers and made life-saving discoveries, our faculty and students have been recognized with the world’s most distinguished honors and prizes, we have elevated our standing in several rankings, and we have seen our student-athletes achieve academic distinction and national championships. These accomplishments, amid an undeniably difficult period for higher education, are a testament to the caliber of our people and the values that define this University.
It is with deep appreciation for that spirit, and a clear view of the opportunities that lie ahead, that the Board now turns to the vital task of selecting Northwestern’s next leader. The selection of the president is among the most important duties of the Board of Trustees. To guide this work, I have asked Vice Chair of the Board Steve Cahillane to chair the Presidential Search Committee that includes representation from the faculty, student body, staff, alumni leadership, and trustees. Such a broadly representative search committee has historically been the practice at Northwestern, and I am confident this group will provide the perspectives necessary to identify a president who embodies Northwestern’s core values, champions the breadth and depth of our academic and research enterprise, and reflects the tradition of excellence that defines Northwestern. The task of this committee is to recommend a candidate for election by the Board of Trustees to serve as Northwestern’s 18th president.
The Search Committee will benefit from input from across the University community about what Northwestern needs at this time. Community members are invited to share their input through the form available on the Presidential Search website and to submit nominations for the presidency. Soon after we return from Winter Recess, we will provide additional opportunities for direct engagement, including listening sessions with committee members. Please visit the Search website for more details, which will be available beginning in early January.
On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Interim President Henry Bienen, who stepped into this role without hesitation and continues to provide steady leadership of the University, including his independent search for the next Provost.
We are profoundly grateful for the dedication and extraordinary work taking place across Northwestern every day, and we remain deeply appreciative of each of you for your role in making our University exceptional.
Sincerely,
Peter
Peter J. Barris
Chair, Board of Trustees
Northwestern University