John Hennessy announced on June 11 that he would step down as Stanford president in the summer of 2016 after almost 16 years in the post. "The time has come to return to what brought me to Stanford—teaching and research," Hennessy, the university's 10th president, told the Faculty Senate.
Steve Denning, MBA '78, chair of the Board of Trustees, says Hennessy "not only was a real visionary in terms of articulating a plan and strategy for Stanford over the last 15 years, but he has gone on to deliver on that vision in a way that's demonstrable." Denning took particular note of Hennessy's oversight of the physical transformation of the campus, marked by improvements since 2000 that include the Science and Engineering Quad, the Knight Management Center for the Graduate School of Business, new Law and Medical School facilities and the new Stanford Stadium.
Hennessy's accomplishments, adds Denning, flowed from a combination of talents. "To be the respected academic that he is, to have an individual that's a seasoned and successful entrepreneur, and then an extraordinary leader—some will say administrator, but I take it way beyond that in terms of the leadership that he has exhibited."
The university noted that Provost John Etchemendy, PhD '82, does not wish to be a candidate to succeed Hennessy. But the provost, whose tenure in his post has been concurrent with Hennessy's presidency, will continue in his role until a new president is on the job.
"With regard to our provost," says Denning, "it has been a real team effort between the two of them. On one hand, I think we're disappointed that he's not a candidate, but for him to agree to stay for the year remaining (for Hennessy) and then at least another year, subject to the new president's wishes, gives us tremendous confidence in real continuity with him being the steady hand on the tiller."
The trustees this summer will appoint a search committee, to be chaired by current board member and former chair Isaac Stein, MBA '72, JD '72. The committee, notes Denning, will include trustees, faculty, students, alumni and staff. The search will extend internationally and begin in September.
Howard Wolf, '80, president of the Stanford Alumni Association, says alumni reaction to the announcement was swift and heartfelt. "We have been inundated with sincere expressions of gratitude, appreciation and—dare I say—love for Stanford's 10th president from alumni around the globe," Wolf says. "Although they all understand that he could not be expected to serve forever, they have made it abundantly clear that he will be missed dearly."
