New President

[morrismm]

<p>Bucknell announced its new president. He is coming from Stanford University–</p>

<p>[News:</a> John C. Bravman, Ph.D., named 17th president of Bucknell University || Bucknell University](<a href=“http://www.bucknell.edu/x60920.xml]News:”>http://www.bucknell.edu/x60920.xml)</p>

<p>He seems to have excellent credentials. Interesting that the school choose an engineer. His wife is an engineer too.</p>

<p>I wish them well.</p>

[ericatbucknell]

<p>

Interesting that the school choose an engineer.

</p>

<p>hes a materials scientist. almost an engineer, but not quite (some of them are really picky about it). dr bravman does seem to be quite committed to the liberal arts, though, so in that sense he seems to be a wonderful fit.</p>

<p>more broadly, the more i read about him the more impressed i get. he is obviously a highly accomplished academic. in his current role he has been very committed to furthering not only the stanford undergraduate academic experience but the undergraduate experience as a whole. he is committed to teaching and actually connecting with students (theres a funny youtube video out there). excellence seems to be a real priority. he has tons of energy. it sounds like he will be successful raising money. and almost as importantly (i kid… but raising money is the name of the game these days!) he seems to be a really, really likable guy.</p>

<p>some quotes from his former students and colleagues at stanford:</p>

<p>

Like Brad Osgood and Jeff Wachtel I am losing one of my closest colleagues and friends on the faculty at Stanford. He is a wonderfully generous man and a brilliant choice for President.

</p>

<p>

I’m a recent Stanford alum and my younger brother is considering Bucknell’s offer of admission. This recent news is so exciting and makes Bucknell that much more of an appealing option. Hurrah for Bucknell! Bravman had a great reputation at Stanford with the undergrads - we all loved him and his dedication to the students and the college community. I really hope he brings the wonderful experience I had at Stanford to Bucknell and that my brother may have a similarly great experience under Bravman’s leadership.

</p>

<p>

The Bucknell community is getting a tremendous leader and academic visionary in John. His tireless enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and improving the magical experience of an undergraduate education will be missed at Stanford. I have known John since our first day as undergraduates at Stanford - he is the best. Welcome back to the East Coast John and Wendy.

</p>

<p>

John Bravman is first-rate, a kind, caring professional and individual. Bucknell could not have selected a finer person. Thanks.

</p>

<p>

I leave my message to the Bucknell family - students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends from one in Stanford’s Office of Development. For 10 years I have worked with John in our shared mission of advancing Stanford University. Bucknell can expect a strong and dedicated leader whose integrity is of the highest level. He cares deeply for the institution and is a great friend to all he meets. To my counterparts in Bucknell’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations, you could not want for a better partner. His gift for bringing people closer, truly inside the university, is so genuine. It comes from the heart. His passion for the cause is unwavering and truly inspiring. I have seen it happen. To John, Wendy, and Cole, I wish only the very best in life. You deserve nothing less. I am glad to see Reunions are in June at Bucknell as you will need to come home to Stanford in October as many years as possible.

</p>

<p>

Congratulations to you, John, and to Bucknell for selecting you! It was a great privilege to work with and for you at Stanford (and fun as well!) and I know your new colleagues will feel the same!

</p>

<p>

I feel compelled to publicly reaffirm the sentiments of Prof. Osgood and Jeff. (hi!) In time Bucknell will come to realize how lucky it is: President Bravman is one of the brightest stars in American higher education, the heart and soul of the Stanford undergraduate experience, and a beloved dean, mentor, and friend.

</p>

<p>

I, too, amy losing one of my closest colleagues and friends. However, we are so excited for Bucknell. Not only do you get a great new President, but two distinguished faculty scholars in Bravman and Wright, and a potential recruit for athletics in Cole.

</p>

<p>

I’m saying goodbye to my best friend at Stanford. You’re saying hello to one of the finest men I know, a great scholar, a wonderful teacher, and a gifted academic leader. Please make him welcome, and his family, and help him to guide your university to even greater things.

</p>

<p>

Bucknell’s gain, Stanford’s loss. You are getting a man endowed with values, frank speech, and enormous energy.

</p>

<p>…im just not sure ive ever seen STUDENTS mourning the loss of a vice provost! (there are several amusing posts on twitter as well.) </p>

<p>brian mitchell was a good president for bucknell insofar as he was able to lay the groundwork for the future. his focus on integrating the school with downtown lewisburg will pay huge dividends down the road, as will his guidance in creating long term documents like ‘the plan for bucknell’ and the new master plan.</p>

<p>john bravman seems like the perfect person to take these plans and run with them.</p>

<p>i highly recommend that those interested watch the videos posted along with the announcement:
[Remarks</a> from Bucknell’s 17th President || Bucknell University](<a href=“http://www.bucknell.edu/x60921.xml]Remarks”>http://www.bucknell.edu/x60921.xml)</p>

[ericatbucknell]

<p>nice article on bravmans departure from the stanford student newspaper:
[Bravman</a> will leave Stanford | Stanford Daily](<a href=“http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/04/13/bravman-will-leave-stanford/]Bravman”>http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/04/13/bravman-will-leave-stanford/)</p>

[sharkey]

<p>ericatbucknell, I watched the videos - very impressive! Thanks for your response on the Bucknell vs University of Richmond thread. I found out the other day that I was selected as a PricewaterhouseCoopers Scholar! I hope to be joining the class of 2014!</p>

[patient]

<p>I have been lucky to have known Professor (now President!) Bravman for many years. I can’t tell you (in the Bucknell community) how lucky you are. He is one of the most brilliant, dedicated, hard-working, and delightful people I have ever known. He treats EVERYONE with the same kindness and attentiveness. His wife is delightful (and brilliant, and a great teacher I hear) as well. It’s a huge loss for Stanford, a huge gain for Bucknell.</p>

[ericatbucknell]

<p>thanks for stopping by! i just can believe how uniformly positive bravmans praise has been. almost unreal. (he is real, right?)</p>

<p>another great article from the stanford student newspaper:
[Sense</a> and Nonsense: John Bravman is Leaving Stanford | Stanford Daily](<a href=“http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/04/16/sense-and-nonsense-john-bravman-is-leaving-stanford/]Sense”>http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/04/16/sense-and-nonsense-john-bravman-is-leaving-stanford/)</p>

[masslou]

<p>Maybe it’s just me, but I think it says something positive about him that he’d start over and have a new baby at age 52 after having two grown (almost!) kids.</p>

[ilmor]

<p>Here’s a link to the video of the campus forum with Dr. Bravman.
<a href=“http://my.bucknell.edu/script/communications/featuredvideo.asp?mediaid=193[/url]”>http://my.bucknell.edu/script/communications/featuredvideo.asp?mediaid=193&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;