HAMILTON, N.Y. — Colgate University’s board of trustees has selected Brian Casey as the school’s 17th president, effective next July 1.
Casey is currently president of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
A search committee selected Casey for board consideration, Colgate said in a news release issued Thursday afternoon. Colgate formed the committee in February after Jeffrey Herbst, the school’s former president, announced he would step down at the end of this June.
Jill Harsin is Colgate’s interim president for the upcoming 2015-16 academic year, according to the release. The university’s website describes Harsin as a “skilled administrator and highly respected professor of history at Colgate.”
In Casey, Colgate has found an “experienced, proven, and nationally recognized leader,” Daniel Hurwitz, chairman of the university’s board of trustees, said in the release.
“Throughout the search process, Brian displayed a deep understanding of all aspects of Colgate … He possesses a strong creative vision, coupled with an extraordinary record of collaborative leadership. I have no doubt that Brian will be embraced by the entire community and undoubtedly enhance Colgate’s strengths while effectively addressing various challenges,” Hurwitz contended.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Casey earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and economics at Notre Dame. He received his law degree from Stanford.
After beginning his career as an attorney with New York City–based Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Casey earned his doctor of philosophy degree in the history of American civilization from Harvard.
“In this year of transition, I look forward to working with interim President Harsin, members of the board, senior administrators, and the Colgate faculty to learn all I can about Colgate and to develop — with all these groups — a robust path forward for the institution,” Casey said in the news release. “I also look forward to joining the Hamilton community and, in the months ahead, to visiting campus and meeting as many faculty members and students as possible.”
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com