The Board of Trustees voted Monday that Benjamin Ladner would not return to lead the university, sparking memories of then-President Richard Berendzen's resignation in 1990 and reminding the AU community of its ability to weather scandal.
School of International Service professor and faculty member-in-residence John Richardson taught at the university in 1990 when Berendzen abruptly resigned amid allegations he made indecent phone calls from his office.
"Former President Berendzen's circumstances were very different and were more personal. ... He came back to teach and the faculty supported him," Richardson said. "In President Ladner's case, it is too soon to tell if he will be welcomed back into the community, but it might happen with the passage of time."
History professor Ira Klein said both former presidents' situations are fundamentally different.
"Dick [Berendzen] was very dedicated to education. Not to say Ladner wasn't, but he has certain strengths as an individual. ... It's a big difference in the way they see themselves," he said.
Berendzen had problems just like anyone else, Klein said.
"In Berendzen's case, I never thought his psychological problems were worse than any other person," he said. "What he did just happened outside legality."
While most faculty members believe the firing of Ladner was appropriate, alumni are divided in opinion on the investigation. Ibbie Hedrick, a member of the class of 2005, said she feels "there has been no transparency in this investigation."
"People seem to be jumping to conclusions before they are getting the information and facts," Hedrick said. "I also feel that the trustees should be held responsible for their decision and should monitor the situation."
Provost Neil Kerwin, who was selected by the board to serve as acting president in August, said the media has reported on how much AU improved during Ladner's term alongside its abundant coverage of the investigation.
"Things have been positive and AU continues to be strong," Kerwin said. "Most of the press attention in the papers has referred to the fact that AU has progressed very well over a number of years. For instance, the opening of the [Katzen] Arts Center next week is proof that donors are still with us in big numbers."
Kerwin, 56, is an internationally recognized expert on federal administrative agency rulemaking. Before receiving a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, he completed his undergraduate work at AU, going on to teach here in 1975 and serve as dean and then provost. In recent years he was a finalist in presidential searches at Bucknell University and the University of Baltimore.
Overall, the university must move forward, said Polson Kanneth, an AU alum and 2004-2005 Student Government President.
"I ran into some alums that were talking about it at Chef Geoff's right after the board announcement," Kanneth said. "They were talking about Dr. Berendzen and past presidents, but at the end of it all, I know our school is great, and I know as an institution this school is strong."
Rachelle Wilson, a 2005 graduate, said she was shocked when she first heard about the investigation and was frustrated about the publicity the university received as a result.
"It was very frustrating to see AU's name dragged through the mud over the summer and through this investigation because things had been going so well for AU in the past few years," she said. "I am glad he has now been fired, and I would have never even considered supporting AU as an alumna if he had been kept on"
