2008 Woodie Awards
Brody reflects on his years at Hopkins, decision to retire
Issue date: 3/27/08
With word of his retirement making national news, University President William Brody was reminded of his 2005 statement to the News-Letter that when he retired, he would play in a piano bar. While no gig offers have come calling, Brody took some time to speak with the News-Letter to discuss his time at Hopkins.
The News-Letter: Now that you've announced your decision to retire, how are you feeling?
William Brody: I was originally pretty depressed to think about not being in my job at Hopkins. The more I get away from that emotion, the more comfortable I am with my decision. It's time. Twelve years has been great, but I haven't had any time to myself and I'd like to have a little flex time.
N-L: When did you decided to resign from the presidency?
WB: Specifically, about a week before I resigned. But when I took the job, I said I'm committed if the Board [of Trustees] wanted for 10 years. Then 10 became 11 ... At 12 years, the decision for me was whether to stay on for another five to seven for another [fundraising] campaign or let a new president come in and define the campaign goals. This is my second fundraising campaign at Hopkins. That's probably sufficient.
N-L: What reaction have you received?
WB: I've gotten lots of e-mails and letters from people saying, "Congratulations, it's been a great run" ... It's been heartwarming.
N-L: What was your impression of Hopkins when you were first approached about the presidency?
WB: My feeling was that Hopkins for undergraduate education was very much underappreciated and that there wasn't a sense of community. It always had a good academic reputation, but Hopkins was not one of the schools that competed at the very highest level for students ... I just thought there was a wonderful opportunity to really create a sense of community, in part by transforming the campus. I think architecture plays a very important role in how people think about themselves and their work. By moving into the Nichols House and being on campus, I think it created a different relationship between the President and the students.
The News-Letter: Now that you've announced your decision to retire, how are you feeling?
William Brody: I was originally pretty depressed to think about not being in my job at Hopkins. The more I get away from that emotion, the more comfortable I am with my decision. It's time. Twelve years has been great, but I haven't had any time to myself and I'd like to have a little flex time.
N-L: When did you decided to resign from the presidency?
WB: Specifically, about a week before I resigned. But when I took the job, I said I'm committed if the Board [of Trustees] wanted for 10 years. Then 10 became 11 ... At 12 years, the decision for me was whether to stay on for another five to seven for another [fundraising] campaign or let a new president come in and define the campaign goals. This is my second fundraising campaign at Hopkins. That's probably sufficient.
N-L: What reaction have you received?
WB: I've gotten lots of e-mails and letters from people saying, "Congratulations, it's been a great run" ... It's been heartwarming.
N-L: What was your impression of Hopkins when you were first approached about the presidency?
WB: My feeling was that Hopkins for undergraduate education was very much underappreciated and that there wasn't a sense of community. It always had a good academic reputation, but Hopkins was not one of the schools that competed at the very highest level for students ... I just thought there was a wonderful opportunity to really create a sense of community, in part by transforming the campus. I think architecture plays a very important role in how people think about themselves and their work. By moving into the Nichols House and being on campus, I think it created a different relationship between the President and the students.
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Aaron Martel
posted 3/31/08 @ 9:03 PM EST
(1) JHU refuses to review indirect holdings (e.g. mutual funds) and therefore may still invest in offending companies (e.g. PetroChina, Sinopec, ONGC). (Continued…)
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