The presidents and provosts of the nation?s best universities might be dusting off their resumes. The retirement of William Brody as president of Johns Hopkins University creates a rare opening at one of the most prestigious research institutions. The Examiner talked with David Warren, former president of Ohio Wesleyan University and president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, about what the search committee will be looking for.
How big a deal is this vacancy?
Johns Hopkins University has staked out a first-among-equals position. The president who succeeds Dr. Brody will need the background of leading a complex, multi-institutional university and a medical school. He or she will likely be a researcher or scientist who has attracted a lot of grants. With a $2.8 billion endowment, there is only a small pool that are peer institutions: Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Northwestern, MIT, Michigan, Washington University and Duke. There are two pools: sitting presidents and provosts.
What else will the search committee be looking for?
He or she will have to have the golden touch of Midas and the patience of Job. With a $1 billion campaign, the president will have to raise a $1 million a day for three years.
Dr. Brody served for 12 years. Is this a long time?
Twelve years is almost twice as long as the median tenure of private university presidents.
What do you think of Dr. Brody?s $1.49 million salary?
The fact that he is a physician certainly drives that up. The nature of medicine drives that up, say, more than that of a biologist. This salary reflects just how complex and large this institution is.
