Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Karl Furstenberg announced Monday his plans to retire by July of next year. The College will soon begin its search for Furstenberg's successor, according to Provost Barry Scherr.
Dartmouth President James Wright praised Furstenberg's contributions to the College in a press release quietly posted late Monday.
"Over the last 16 years he has overseen the admission of some 18,000 students. Their legacy, inside and outside the classroom, is also his legacy," Wright said.
Furstenberg, who came to the College in 1990 after managing admissions at Wesleyan University for 13 years, has made a number of significant contributions to Dartmouth admissions.
Under Furstenberg, Dartmouth's applicant pool has grown 76 percent, from 7,930 to 13,938.
Furstenberg's leadership has also led to greater minority representation in entering classes, with percentages of minority students increasing from 18 to 31 percent. Gender representation has also changed under Furstenberg from a 56-44 male-female ratio to a present 48-52 ratio.
Moreover, scholarship assistance to incoming students has grown from 36 percent of the student body receiving $23 million to 46 percent of incoming students receiving $44 million in aid.
Representation of students from public and private schools has shifted under Furstenberg's leadership with 66 percent of students currently coming from public schools, up from previous rates of 56 percent.
Scherr expressed gratitude for Furstenberg's contributions to Dartmouth.
"During his time in Hanover, we have admitted classes that are ever more talented and diverse, while our financial aid packages are among the very best in the country," Scherr said in the press release. "On numerous occasions he has represented us well, both on campus and in the wider academic community, on matters concerning the admissions process and financial aid."
Furstenberg was unavailable late Monday night at press time.
