Bill Purcell '76 has been appointed director of Harvard's Institute of Politics (IOP) at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, starting September 1. The former mayor of Nashville, Tenn., Purcell has worked in public service, law and higher education for more than 30 years. He will succeed former U.S. Congressman James A. Leach (R-IA), who served as IOP director for the 2007-08 academic year.
The IOP was established as a memorial to President Kennedy in 1966. Its mission, according to an IOP press release, "is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists and policymakers on a non-partisan basis and to stimulate and nurture their interest in public service and leadership."
David T. Ellwood, Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, said, "Bill Purcell is a highly distinguished public servant with an extensive background in economic development, educational reform, and community revitalization. His broad range of expertise and the unique perspectives he brings to the IOP will be a tremendous asset to the Institute and the Kennedy School in the years ahead."
As mayor of Nashville from 1999-2007, Purcell presided over a period of unprecedented economic growth in the city. In 2006, he was awarded the honor of "Public Official of the Year" by Governing Magazine for his achievements as a civic leader. He was an IOP Fellow in the fall of 2007, and has served since January 2008 as founding dean of the College of Public Service and Urban Affairs at Tennessee State University.
Purcell earned his law degree at Vanderbilt University School of Law. He served as a legislator in the State of Tennessee House of Representatives (1986-96) and as majority leader (1990-96). He also founded the Child and Family Policy Center at Vanderbilt University in 1996, serving as director until 1999.
-- by Laura Bramley
The IOP was established as a memorial to President Kennedy in 1966. Its mission, according to an IOP press release, "is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists and policymakers on a non-partisan basis and to stimulate and nurture their interest in public service and leadership."
David T. Ellwood, Dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, said, "Bill Purcell is a highly distinguished public servant with an extensive background in economic development, educational reform, and community revitalization. His broad range of expertise and the unique perspectives he brings to the IOP will be a tremendous asset to the Institute and the Kennedy School in the years ahead."
As mayor of Nashville from 1999-2007, Purcell presided over a period of unprecedented economic growth in the city. In 2006, he was awarded the honor of "Public Official of the Year" by Governing Magazine for his achievements as a civic leader. He was an IOP Fellow in the fall of 2007, and has served since January 2008 as founding dean of the College of Public Service and Urban Affairs at Tennessee State University.
Purcell earned his law degree at Vanderbilt University School of Law. He served as a legislator in the State of Tennessee House of Representatives (1986-96) and as majority leader (1990-96). He also founded the Child and Family Policy Center at Vanderbilt University in 1996, serving as director until 1999.
-- by Laura Bramley
