College President James Wright will step down in June 2009, the College announced on Monday morning. Wright, the 16th president of the College, has served as president since 1998.
Ed Haldeman '70, chairman of the College's Board of Trustees, told The Dartmouth that discussions surrounding Wright's departure began in late fall of 2007. The Board will begin its plans for a search process to determine Wright's successor at a Board meeting scheduled to take place during the last weekend of this month, Haldeman said, adding that the Board hopes to have secured Wright's successor by the time of Wright's departure in 16 months.
Recent controversy surrounding governance at the College, Haldeman said, did not affect Wright's decision to leave Dartmouth.
"The governance issues had no impact on Jim Wright's decision," he said.
In an e-mail message to the Dartmouth community sent on Monday morning, Wright expressed nostalgia and gratitude about the 40 years he has spent as a member of the faculty and administration at the College.
"It has been an extraordinary experience that I shall always cherish, and a true privilege about which I feel a profound sense of humility," Wright's letter reads. "As much as I enjoy serving Dartmouth in my current role, I believe that every institution can benefit from periodic new leadership and fresh ideas."
In the letter, Wright says that during the remainder of his tenure as president, he will continue his work on the College's ongoing capital campaign, the recent initiative surrounding changes to the College's Sophomore Summer program and the creation of more social spaces on campus in conjunction with new Dean of the College Tom Crady.
After his departure from the College, Wright plans to continue his work with wounded veterans and further pursue his studies in history.
Haldeman declined to comment on the Board's criteria for the new College president without first discussing the issue with the other members of the Board. Haldeman did note that the process would involve the input of Dartmouth faculty, staff, students and alumni, and would consider both internal and external candidates.
Wright began his career at Dartmouth in 1969 as a history professor, and has served as Dean of the College, Provost and acting College President during former College President James Freedman's sabbatical.
