Haverford College names Tulane dean Brian T. Edwards as its next president

Haverford College has picked Brian T. Edwards, who heads Tulane University's School of Liberal Arts, to serve as its 17th president, according to WHYY and The Philadelphia Inquirer. His term is set to begin July 1.

Edwards will succeed Wendy Raymond, who is retiring. The Inquirer reported that Raymond disclosed nearly a year ago her plan to leave in June 2027, while WHYY said her departure comes when the current academic year ends.

WHYY reported that the college described the process as the broadest presidential search in its history, drawing feedback from over 1,000 people, including students, employees, graduates and board members. Michael B. Kim, whom WHYY identified as Board of Managers chair and the Inquirer as board of trustees chair, praised the selection in a statement. The Inquirer quoted him calling Edwards "the ideal person to lead Haverford."

Edwards, 58, has run Tulane's largest school since 2018. The Inquirer reported that before that he taught for 18 years at Northwestern University in Middle East studies, English and comparative literature, and was the founding director of its Middle East and North African Studies program. Both of his degrees, a bachelor's and a doctorate, come from Yale, the newspaper said.

WHYY put enrollment at the Main Line liberal arts school at about 1,460 students; the Inquirer gave a figure near 1,470.

Both outlets said Edwards takes over at a turbulent time for the college. Haverford recently resolved a lawsuit claiming it did not do enough to protect against antisemitism. According to the Inquirer, some alumni and students objected to the August settlement, citing concerns about free expression and academic freedom. The paper added that Raymond was questioned last year by a congressional panel led by Republicans, and that a religion professor at the college was arrested earlier in October on accusations that he sent threatening antisemitic messages to a fellow faculty member.

Speaking with the Inquirer, Edwards said he intends to respond to those divisions by listening and fostering dialogue. "These are fractious times, where people have become polarized on a whole lot of issues," he said.

Edwards also told the Inquirer that raising money will be a top focus. The college announced in 2024 that it aims to reach a $1 billion endowment by 2030, and the fund held $869 million at the end of September, the newspaper reported. Edwards said more endowment money would allow for more financial aid, and that Haverford should better communicate that aid often makes it less expensive than a public university for many families.

His wife, Tulane professor Kate Baldwin, will come to Haverford as a visiting professor, the Inquirer reported.

Compiled by True News from reporting by WHYY and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/255