Cornell Univ. president unexpectedly resigns
The Cornell University community is still reeling from the shock of the sudden resignation of University President Jeffrey Lehman, who announced his departure June 11. Lehman made the announcement before an audience of 700 alumni, faculty members and college officials at the conclusion of his annual "State of the University address" during Cornell's Reunion Weekend. Those in attendance described audible gasps preceding a standing ovation for the president, who attributed his resignation to unresolved differences between him and the Cornell Board of Trustees. Speculations on the reason behind his departure have varied, but the trustees and Lehman cited differences with the board's strategy for accomplishing Cornell's long-term vision as ultimately driving Lehman's decision to resign. "The differences between me and the board were profound, and they were at a strategic level," Lehman said in an interview published Tuesday in the Chronicle of Higher Education. "It became clear to me that these were not little things that we could work out.