Al Bloom to retire in 2009

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
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<p>To: The Swarthmore Community
From: Al Bloom, President</p>

<p>For the past 17 years I have held the dream job in American education. It
has offered me the opportunity to work with this remarkable community and
with the alumni it has produced and to lead a College truly distinctive in
its mission and in its power to deliver on that mission.</p>

<p>However, I believe it is right for me and for the College that I conclude
my tenure as president on August 31, 2009. I will be ready to embark on
the next stage of my career, and it is important that a new president be
in place to help translate our current planning effort into specific
priorities for Swarthmore’s future, and to prepare a campaign to enable us
to realize those priorities.</p>

<p>The Board will soon form a multi-constituent committee to lead the search
for the next president.</p>

<p>I take great joy and satisfaction in what we have accomplished together
and look forward to another full year of building with you on the
excellence of the finest undergraduate institution anywhere.</p>

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<p>Thanks Arador:</p>

<p>I wondered when we would get that announcement. 17 years is a long tenure. The end of the last capital campaign and the beginning of the next is the obvious transition point.</p>

<p>I thought that Dean Gross' retirement and the hiring of Larrimore was timed to have that transition in place before a presidential transition.</p>

<p>Here's one name to keep an eye on. She'll be on campus for an honorary degree at graduation:</p>

<p>The</a> University of Washington: Office of the Provost</p>