Harvard University recently made history with the appointment of Claudine Gay as its first Black president, marking a significant milestone for the prestigious institution. Gay, also only the second woman to lead Harvard since its establishment in 1640, emphasized the weight and honor of this groundbreaking role during her inaugural address. Acknowledging the institution’s historical role as an agent of change, she expressed her commitment to guiding Harvard with a focus on questioning the status quo and envisioning a better future.
The Harvard Corporation, the university’s governing body, selected Gay after an extensive search process. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey praised the appointment as a “truly historic” moment, recognizing Gay’s distinguished career as an expert in political behavior and her contributions to addressing social and economic inequalities through initiatives like the Inequality in America Initiative. The outgoing president, Lawrence Bacow, expressed confidence in Gay’s leadership, emphasizing her “bedrock integrity” and “moral compass” as essential qualities for guiding the prestigious institution into a promising future. Read more