To the Bowdoin Community:

Barry’s announcement today makes us value all the more his exceptional contributions to Bowdoin and his willingness to do what he thinks best for our College, even if it means stepping down from a job that he does so well and truly loves. We are going to miss him very much when he leaves, but — as he has so clearly reminded us — he’s not gone yet, and we all have much to do together before that day comes.

A part of that work will be the important task of identifying Barry’s successor, and at our campus meetings in May we will name a presidential search committee that includes members of the Board, faculty, students, staff, and other alumni representatives. Barry’s shoes will be tremendously difficult to fill, but thanks to his leadership, our College has never been in a stronger position. We will take on this task with gratitude for his remarkable service and with confidence in our ability to identify the very best candidate to serve as Bowdoin’s 15th president.

There will be many opportunities later to reflect on Barry’s accomplishments and our time together. For now, we thank Barry and Karen for giving us the time necessary to identify Bowdoin’s next leader and we are grateful for Barry’s continued energetic focus on our goals, our aspirations, and our future.

Sincerely,

Debbie Barker ’80, P’16
Chair, Bowdoin College Board of Trustees