Hampshire professor of philosophy Marlene Gerber Fried was selected to serve as acting president while the Board of Trustees search for a successor to Ralph Hexter, who will depart at the conclusion of his sabbatical, which begins Sept. 1.
Marlene Garber FriedAMHERST - Hampshire College announced Friday that philosophy professor and abortion-rights advocate Marlene Gerber Fried has been selected to serve as acting president following the departure of president Ralph Hexter after five years.
Hexter, the fifth president in the history of the college, announced earlier this month he intends to “transition from the office.” He will officially step down as president at the conclusion of his sabbatical, which starts Sept. 1.
Gerber Fried is a professor of philosophy and director of the Civil Liberties and Public Policy (CLPP) program at Hampshire. The college cited her for having strong administrative and scholarly experience, and a deep institutional knowledge.
Sigmund Roos, chair of the Hampshire College Board of Trustees, said in a prepared statement that Gerber Fried is “a strong leader who exemplifies the best of Hampshire, with a deep commitment to the college and its mission. We are honored that she has agreed to lead the college during this transition time.”
Gerber Fried said in a prepared statement that it is an honor to serve the college in a new capacity.
“Hampshire is an extraordinary institution that encourages all members of its community to stretch our knowledge, to challenge ourselves, and to embody our commitment to social justice,” she said.
The board of trustees will initiate a formal search process for a new president starting early in the school year. The board hopes to have a permanent president in place by July 1, 2011.
Gerber Fried holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Brown University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati.
She focuses in her scholarship and teaching on reproductive rights and public policy. She is known nationally and internationally as a leader in the reproductive rights movement. She also serves on the board of the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights, and was the founding president and continues to serve on the board of the National Network of Abortion Funds and the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts.
She has been at Hampshire College since 1986.
She is the mother of 2000 Hampshire graduate Daniel Gerber Fried and Michael Gerber Fried, a graduate of the University of Maryland.