Pusey's Letter

(The following is the letter President Pusey sent to the Corporation to announce his retirement.)

Gentlemen:

In the hope that you will grant me the privilege of early retirement at the end of the next academic year, that is in June 1971, I write now formally to ask that you turn your attention to the task of choosing my successor.

The new period which is now beginning for higher education poses a formidable array of difficult problems for Harvard (though this in itself is nothing new). I have learned in twenty-five years as a college president-sixteen of them here-that a considerable interval (not uncommonly something like ten years) is required in the administration of a university between the undertaking of a major project and its achievement. In the light of these considerations it seems to me, as I indicated to you last year, that the next change in presidents of Harvard should occur fairly soon, preferably near the beginning of the fresh chapter rather than three years from now when I shall have reached the mandatory retirement age. If this can be arranged, my successor will have an opportunity to help design and order the new developments of the era ahead as well as effect their fulfillment.

I very much regret adding another major task at this juncture to the many with which you have recently been and are still confronted. But I do not believe the University's interest can be served now by what could at best be a brief postponement. It has always been Harvard's strength-rooted as she is in tradition-that she has never had any inclination to mark time. Her characteristic manner is to be continually making fresh starts. Those great classes of graduates-largely of the 1920's and 1930's-which have made my administration possible have in considerable measure now discharged their responsibility-especially perhaps those of the twenties of which I am apart. In any case the time has come for a renewed effort which will enlist the energies of many younger Harvard men. My request therefore is that you proceed to this important task as quickly as you can.

Sincerely yours,