Hersh Resigns As President of Trinity College

Hersh’s presidency began in April, 2002, with an aggressive agenda to enhance the academic standing and intellectual environment of the College and change the social climate. While much progress has been made toward realizing those ambitions, the friction of creating change by the president has resulted in significant discontent among faculty and students. The level of this tension has elevated to a point where President Hersh is no longer confident that the College’s goals can be achieved under his leadership.

Hersh described his goals at Trinity College as moving an already excellent institution to a higher level of accomplishment and recognition. He is proud of the work of its faculty and students in undertaking curriculum change, enhancing the intellectual climate, and addressing important social issues, particularly racism and personal conduct. He concludes, however, in his letter of resignation that the “agenda for excellence” in which he takes great pride would be harmed if he remained, because he believes his leadership style has become too much the focus of attention, as opposed to where he believes the focus ought to be: on the agenda, the students, and the College as a whole.

Trustee Chairman Paul Raether expressed his satisfaction with the progress of academic and social reform. “Dick Hersh deserves high marks for transforming the Board’s goals for academic and intellectual improvement into a successful plan of action. He has taken courageous and principled stands on important academic and social issues. He has dealt effectively with the financial pressures on our budget resulting from the national economic downturn, has worked hard to bring clarity to the overseas study component of our curriculum, and was quite successful in opening new funding sources for the College. Dick met with trustees, presented his conclusions and convinced us that his decision would serve the College. Dick Hersh deserves a tremendous amount of credit for making the decision to step aside, on his own.  It’s an unselfish decision that speaks volumes to his commitment to the College and its students. The Board accepts his resignation with regret and admiration for his hard work, high purpose and achievement.”