Although details surrounding potential future Hopkins presidents are being kept under wraps, members of the search committee say they are pleased with its progress.
The Presidential Search Committee was launched on April 11, nearly a month after Brody announced his imminent retirement, and its 13 members have been working tirelessly to find a competent president.
Jerome Schnydman, the executive assistant to the president, declined to go into specifics on the what the committee accomplished over the summer but agreed that "good progress that has been made."
While members of the Hopkins community have offered several suggestions of possible candidates, including Mayor Bloomberg, the committee continues to keep its lips sealed.
The committee is comprised of two faculty members, University and Johns Hopkins Medicine trustees, one staff member, one graduate student and one undergraduate student.
Senior Kurt Herzer, the only undergraduate member of the committee, said he was impressed with the progress the committee made over the summer.
"Our process is very efficient. I've been on several Hopkins committees, and this one is very well-organized," Herzer said.
The committee met several times over the summer to interview candidates and discuss the qualifications of each aspirant.
"[After each interview], we have a period of reflection in which we really consider what we've just gone through, how we respond to each candidate. It's a time of oversight," Herzer said.
Herzer spent the summer in Switzerland but said he flew back twice to attend these meetings. He said that many committee members made similar efforts because of the importance of the search.
According to Schnydman, the members of the committee often kept each other in check over the summer to make sure they stayed on track.
"We wanted to make sure we stayed on target what we felt was necessary for the next president, and then move on to discussing the candidates who were interviewed and how they relate to the bigger mission," Herzer said.
Herzer stressed that these periods of reflection are essential to making sure the committee doesn't get too swept away by a charismatic person, but instead remains focused on the bigger picture.
"The most important thing to keep in mind is where the institution is headed," Herzer said.
As some may wonder when the next president's identity will be revealed, Schnydman said that the committee hopes to name someone by the time Brody leaves office.
Herzer said that this process will continue "as long as it takes to get the right person."
As for the rumors of potential candidates, Schnydman said they can remain only that: rumors.
While they remained vague as to all the qualifications set for the position, Kurt and Schnydman both voiced that certain qualities are necessary.
Besides all the obvious traits a president should have, such as the power to lead, Schnydman emphasized the search for someone with "the ability to build on the fabulous accomplishments of President Brody."
Herzer added that the candidate must have mobilizing qualities.
"He or she should have the ability to inspire on an individual basis, on a human level. This is certainly important for mobilizing people to do things," he said.
Speaking for the undergraduate body as their sole representative on the committee, Herzer said that the "quality of life" of the undergraduate community has been a topic of discussion. He said that the future president will hopefully be sensitive to the inconsistency of quality of life for undergraduates, and that students should find this person relatable and approachable.
Though the Student Government Association is not directly involved with the selection process, its members have been discussing their own hopes for the next president.
Prasanna Chandrasekhar, SGA president, had little to say about the presidential search committee's activity over the summer.
"Personally I've been pretty out of the loop about their progress, and I'm pretty sure that no one has gotten any updates," Chandrasekhar said.
Despite being kept in the dark on the subject, Chandrasekhar has strong opinions with regards to essential qualities of a president.
Chandrasekhar said he hopes for someone "who understands the culture of Hopkins, as well as our goals."
Chandrasekhar's main concern is that the president may not be familiar enough to Hopkins.
"I'm most afraid of unrealistic presidents who try to change the culture and the University to match what they want to do, to what they see fit," he said.
Chandrasekhar added that it will be important to maintain the integrity of the legacy of past presidents, and that he has faith in the committee to see to this.
