Drew Faust before Harvard presidency

When The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted Drew Faust in her pre-Harvard days

Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, The Chronicle of Higher Education—a leading source of news for the college and university set—is reprinting vintage cover stories. The June 24 issue reprised the July 6, 1994, edition, on which “Penn’s Drew Gilpin Faust, Historian” was featured, for a story on “Policing Scholars’ Ethics” (click on the arrow to see the full page).

As the Chronicle explained, in her capacity as head of the American Historical Association’s professional division, Faust “found herself amid more than a few bitter debates within a newly diverse membership,” prompting her to observe, “No one is happy.” The issues then concerned plagiarism, sexual harassment, racial and age discrimination, and disputes over hiring and promotions. From the vantage point of 2016’s especially hot dog days of summer—and her ensuing service as dean of the Radcliffe Institute and then president of Harvard—those problems must sound familiar, albeit smaller in scale than those reaching Faust in Mass. Hall. Perhaps the sentiment she expressed then might prompt a wan smile of recognition today. One awaits the Chronicle’s centennial-year retrospective with interest.

You might also like

Harvard’s New Online Orientation Emphasizes Intellectual Paths

A summer course for first-years focuses on academic success, diverse viewpoints.

Harvard in the News

University layoffs, professors in court, and a new Law School dean

The Pump Celebrates Its 85th Birthday

Giving Harvard traditions their due 

Most popular

Shakespeare’s Greatest Rival

Without Christopher Marlowe, there might not have been a Bard.

Harvard President Alan Garber Helps First-Years Move In

As a potential settlement with the Trump administration looms, Garber gets students settled. 

Two Years of Doxxing at Harvard

What happens when students are publicly named and shamed for their views?

Explore More From Current Issue

Man, standing in small group of people outside the courthouse, holding a sign that reads "HANDS OFF HARVARD" in red letters

Harvard’s Summer in Court

What Columbia’s settlement means for the University

Illustration of college students running under a large red "MAGA" hat while others look on with some skeptisim.

How MAGA Went Mainstream at Harvard

Trump, TikTok, and the pandemic are reshaping Gen Z politics.

Illustrated world map showing people connected across countries with icons for ideas, research, and communication.

Why Harvard Needs International Students

An ed school professor on why global challenges demand global experiences