Letter from Ellen Condliffe Lagemann to the HGSE Community, Harvard Graduate School of Education: HGSE News Feature

Letter from Ellen Condliffe Lagemann to the HGSE Community

March 21, 2005

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I write to let you know that I have decided to step down as Dean of HGSE at the end of the current academic year. I will remain the Charles Warren Professor of the History of American Education.

I have decided to take this step with considerable reluctance and after a great deal of thought. I remain committed to the wellbeing of the Ed School and to the interests all of us share in education. I continue to believe and will always believe that nothing is more important for this country or the world than education.

Together, over the last three years, we have made significant progress on many fronts and I hope that, working with all of you, my successor can build on that. We have reorganized the Ed School in order to create a more focused and unified institution. We have reoriented our masters program. We continue to work on our doctoral program, in order to fine tune the advantages the students have already recognized in having one school-wide program. We have stabilized the School's finances and improved its administrative structures. Building on two years of work by the Academic Cabinet, led by Catherine Snow before I arrived, we have made considerable progress in the development of core courses. Following the President's priorities, we have also created some new links to other schools at Harvard and made some stunning appointments.

Three years ago, when I agreed to become Dean of the Ed School, I did so with considerable trepidation. I knew that I was first and foremost a scholar and a teacher. Having now had the extraordinary opportunity of serving as Dean of HGSE for three years, I have decided it is time for me to return to teaching and scholarship. That is what I will do this summer. Before then, however, I intend to work with Larry Summers, Steve Hyman, and all members of the HGSE community to ensure the smoothest possible transition for everyone associated with HGSE. I have come to love this community and I will do all I can to ensure its continuing welfare.

With many thanks and best wishes,

Ellen
Charles Warren Professor of the History of American Education and Dean


Events Features & Releases e-Newsletters Ed. Magazine HGSE in the Media Webcasts Harvard Education Publishing Group	News Features & Releases Letter from Ellen Condliffe Lagemann to the HGSE Community March 21, 2005 Dear Friends and Colleagues: I write to let you know that I have decided to step down as Dean of HGSE at the end of the current academic year. I will remain the Charles Warren Professor of the History of American Education. I have decided to take this step with considerable reluctance and after a great deal of thought. I remain committed to the wellbeing of the Ed School and to the interests all of us share in education. I continue to believe and will always believe that nothing is more important for this country or the world than education. Together, over the last three years, we have made significant progress on many fronts and I hope that, working with all of you, my successor can build on that. We have reorganized the Ed School in order to create a more focused and unified institution. We have reoriented our masters program. We continue to work on our doctoral program, in order to fine tune the advantages the students have already recognized in having one school-wide program. We have stabilized the School's finances and improved its administrative structures. Building on two years of work by the Academic Cabinet, led by Catherine Snow before I arrived, we have made considerable progress in the development of core courses. Following the President's priorities, we have also created some new links to other schools at Harvard and made some stunning appointments. Three years ago, when I agreed to become Dean of the Ed School, I did so with considerable trepidation. I knew that I was first and foremost a scholar and a teacher. Having now had the extraordinary opportunity of serving as Dean of HGSE for three years, I have decided it is time for me to return to teaching and scholarship. That is what I will do this summer. Before then, however, I intend to work with Larry Summers, Steve Hyman, and all members of the HGSE community to ensure the smoothest possible transition for everyone associated with HGSE. I have come to love this community and I will do all I can to ensure its continuing welfare. With many thanks and best wishes, Ellen Charles Warren Professor of the History of American Education and Dean

News Features & Releases

Letter from Ellen Condliffe Lagemann to the HGSE Community

March 21, 2005