Rebecca Chopp is Leaving Colgate for Swarthmore

<p>As any executive recruitment consultant will tell you, the reasons for moving to another position after 7 very successful years (in the case of Rebecca Chopp) are largely personal and often surprising. We can imagine she felt it was time to take on another interesting challenge and that she felt she had largely achieved what she set out to do. Clearly the position at Swarthmore was a compelling opportunity as well. </p>

<p>Rebecca made her choice at what may be the pinnacle of her success at Colgate and only she, her husband, and possibly the consultant who handled this long search have the answer that will satisfy all of her well-wishers. But I think we can safely set aside comments about the "wilds" of NY state and the USN&WR ranking of Colgate and Swarthmore. They are both superb top 20 liberal arts colleges and will certainly attract the best possible candidates as their presidents.</p>

<p>Sure, they're both excellent schools with fine students and first rate faculties. And, absolutely, these decisions are complex. For one, Chopp might not have been a viable candidate were not for her work at Colgate.</p>

<p>At the same time, it's true that Swarthmore has a more intellectual tone and Colgate is in a depressed rural area. Take a drive out of Hamilton anytime and you'll see barns that are collapsing and lots of cows. Read the data and you'll find that the economy of the area has been in shambles for decades. Swarthmore is a train ride away from a very vibrant city which has attracted artists and entrepreneurs from NY and other cities in the northeast. Philadelphia wasn't doing that well 20 years ago but is a thriving cultural area now. There's no reason to ignore those realities, is there?</p>

<p>With Dartmouth's recent change, I gotta believe that Chopp was a serious candidate for that position as well. But, inquiring minds will never know. :)</p>

<p>My point simply was the President Chopp's decision was a personal choice taken at a high point in her career and that she welcomes the challenges it carries.</p>

<p>I cannot comment on your opinion about one campus' intellectual tone vs that of another nor would I want to assume that Pres Chopp subscribed to or was influenced by the view you have taken. Further, I don't get your point about the "shambles" of the rural area in terms of the appeal of a suburban location. The town of Hamilton where Colgate is situated is a charming, safe and busy college town in the New England tradition. Colgate students actively engage with town and area residents and the benefits are mutual. </p>

<p>There are many excellent colleges in northeast rural locations and some are more distant from urban centers than others. One special characteristic of a rural location is that virtually all faculty and staff are residents who actively contribute to the town's vitality. You can just feel it. In any case, this makes the selection of a college exciting for student applicants as well as for prospective administrators and faculty.</p>

<p>Well, the town of Hamilton has gotten better after big infusions of money from Colgate. That was done to counteract the pervasive Greek drinking culture. </p>

<p>BTW, more and more faculty members are choosing not to live in Hamilton because they don't like the hothouse atmosphere.</p>

<p>Aha! And I suspected, you have an agenda and it does not relate to Rebecca Chopp's career.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that Colgate is a vibrant college and will continue to thrive with the good will of its supporters.</p>

<p>Huh? I have no agenda. I'm replying to your message about what a vibrant place Colgate is since so many faculty live there by pointing out that increasingly faculty are choosing not to live there. My response was logical and focused on your point. And if you don't believe me about how and why Colgate pumped money into the town, do some research and you'll find I'm right.</p>

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BTW, more and more faculty members are choosing not to live in Hamilton because they don't like the hothouse atmosphere.

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<p>Hothouse atmosphere? What is that?</p>

<p>Increasingly faculty want to live without their colleagues and students following every aspect of their lives. Hamilton is a very small town and everyone is in everyone's business. Some people prefer privacy, although many choose that AFTER they've gotten tenure since there is so much pressure to be in town.</p>