The-Ave.US

A mouse is talking.  Minnie Mouse told  The AVE that there is a rumor leaking around that next week the Search Committee will announce the name of the finalist for the new UW President.

Ms.  Mouse told me that she was not sure the rumor was true, but that she would not mind if I spread the cheese story around.

We have also been assured that none of our intimate friends, including the anonymous candidate previously proposed to be the next president, is likely to be the chosen one.

NEW PROVOST AT HARVARD

The Ave will offer kudoes, anonymity, and a bottle of nice northwest wine for information.

UPDATE: 1:15 4/5      In the meantime, here is a benchmark for comparison:

NEW PROVOST AT HARVARD from Drew Faust, President of Harvard

I write today with the very good news that Alan M. Garber, Henry J. Kaiser, Jr. Professor, and professor of medicine and economics, at Stanford University, will be the next provost of Harvard.

An exceptional scholar and academic leader, Alan has strong ties to Harvard. He graduated summa cum laude from the College in 1976, and went on to complete his Ph.D. in economics at Harvard, and an M.D. from Stanford with research honors. I invite you to read the related press release, which has more information about Alan and his many accomplishments: http://hvd.gs/79435.

A senior leadership search provides an opportunity to reflect on the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the University, and I want to thank all of you who wrote or spoke to me over the past several months to suggest names or share thoughts about the provost’s role at Harvard. I am particularly grateful to members of the faculty advisory committee, whose active engagement and wise counsel proved invaluable as we moved through the search.

Alan is joining us at a time of great promise and opportunity—but also at a time of considerable challenge and change. Harvard, like all universities, faces a future that is likely to be quite different from the recent past. Changing federal funding patterns, issues of cost and affordability, internationalization of research and teaching, and the implications of technology require us to reimagine how we will sustain and advance our most important values and commitments while assuring that Harvard plays a leadership role in designing the future. I look forward to my partnership with Alan in shaping and executing the strategic academic vision of the University and in working with everyone on campus to achieve a more integrated whole.

Alan will formally assume his new role on September 1, but I know that he will be eager to meet many of you in the weeks to come and to hear your thoughts and perspectives on the myriad issues he will face when he arrives on campus.

I very much hope you will join me in welcoming Alan Garber as Harvard’s next provost.

Sincerely,

Drew Faust