Updates from the Search Committee
Hamilton’s President
By David Solomon ’84, P’16
May 17, 2023
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Several weeks ago, David Wippman called me to say he planned to retire at the conclusion of the next academic year. As many of you know, he is a lawyer by training, so he was well prepared to set aside my best arguments for why he should reconsider. I accepted his decision reluctantly and expressed appreciation for his outstanding leadership of the College. He has been a tremendous president at an especially difficult time in higher education, as evidenced by the fact that Hamilton has continued to improve and become even better known and more respected during his tenure.
David has built a strong senior leadership team and deftly guided the College through significant challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting financial uncertainty.From his first days on campus, he embraced Hamilton’s long-standing commitments to access and opportunity, and the College’s mission to prepare students to become active citizens by encouraging them to confront new ideas and consider other perspectives.
The last seven years have seen substantial new investments in faculty, facilities, and student support, including new programs and resources to support student health and well-being, efforts to prepare all students for a world rapidly being transformed by new technologies, and the launch of the ALEX advising and experiential education program. Hamilton has also renewed its emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and hired the College’s first Vice President for DEI.
Once the priorities were established, David turned his attention to finding the resources to implement new programs and ideas. He convinced the Board of Trustees to approve a $400 million goal for the Because Hamilton campaign. We reached that goal last week, but are still adding to the campaign total through the end of June.
Bob Delaney ’79 and Linda Johnson ’80, vice chairs of the board, have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the search committee to identify Hamilton’s 21st president. We will follow past practice and form a committee comprised of trustees, senior staff, faculty, and students. Discussions are taking place to hire an executive search firm to assist us, and Gill King, secretary to the board and chief of staff, will serve ex officio. The committee will begin its work as soon as it is formed next month. There will be multiple opportunities for the campus to share advice and offer suggestions before the committee makes its recommendation to the board.
As difficult as it will be to replace a highly effective and admired president, Hamilton enjoys an enviable position in the higher education community, and the opportunity to lead Hamilton will undoubtedly be attractive to outstanding candidates. I look forward to celebrating with you in the coming year David’s many contributions to Hamilton.
Sincerely,
David Solomon ’84, P’16
Chair, Board of Trustees
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Timeline
May 16, 2023 - President Wippman Announces his Retirement
May 17, 2023 - Search Committee Co-Chairs Announced
May 23, 2023 - Isaacson, Miller Announced as Search Firm
June XX, 2023 - Search Committee Members Announced
TBD - Community Listening Sess
