The appointment of Law School Dean Lee C. Bollinger as provost of Dartmouth College was announced by Dartmouth President James O. Freedman May 24.
“Dean Bollinger has a distinguished record of achievement as teacher, scholar and academic administrator. Most of all,” Freedman said, “he is an intellectual who cares deeply about ideas and liberal education. I am confident that he will bring outstanding qualities of leadership and character to his new position.”
Because of commitments to the U-M, Bollinger will not assume the Dartmouth post until July 1, 1994. Freedman said he has respect for Bollinger’s sense of responsibility to Michigan at a time when it must itself begin a search for his successor.
“Rather than reopen the search next fall with uncertain prospects as to the outcome, I concluded that the appointment of Dean Bollinger was the better long-term choice for Dartmouth,” Freedman said.
Commenting on the appointment, John H. D’Arms, vice provost for academic affairs and dean, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, said: “Lee Bollinger’s reasoned and principled judgments, his broad intellectual and human sympathies, and his bone-deep commitment to academic values were bound to make him attractive to other universities in search of strong academic leadership. He’s been a wonderful colleague, and I’ll miss him greatly.”
A graduate of the University of Oregon and the Columbia Law School, Bollinger joined the U-M in 1973. He was appointed dean in 1987.
His teaching has focused on the First Amendment, comparative freedom of speech and press law, mass media law, contracts, and law and culture.
Bollinger is the author of numerous articles and essays and three books.
