October 11, 2002

Long-Lasting Presidents of Universities

To the Editor:

Julianne Basinger's article on the length of service of college presidents provides some interesting insights into what it takes to survive in a job that demands a mind-boggling breadth of expertise, superhuman energy, and accountability to constituencies with different and often conflicting agendas ("Staying Power," September 13). It also includes a thoughtful assessment of the impact that longevity in leadership can have on an institution.

Since almost half of