Adam Falk sparkles with intellectual and imaginative energy, and lively, carefully considered views on the future of higher education.
He embodies, in the highest degree, the talents Williams prizes in its faculty and senior leaders: He is an eminent scholar, a superb teacher, and an institutional leader who enjoys the warm respect and confidence of his community.
As dean of a university distinguished for the rigor of its cutting-edge programs in the arts and sciences, he knows first-hand — and deeply — the intellectual issues that shape all the disciplines we teach at Williams.
Although his prior experience has been in research universities, he has repeatedly demonstrated his profound commitment to undergraduates and to enhancing their educations both inside and outside of the classroom.
He will be an extraordinary president.
— Steve Fix, Robert G. Scott ’68 Professor of English and Member of the Search Committee
During the selection process, Adam immediately shone as an impressive, adept thinker whose capacities to lead, inspire, and accomplish were outdone only by his receptivity to new ideas.
What immediately stood out was Adam’s ability to engage tenuous conversation with sensitivity and nuance, an immediately rare and impressive quality.
Genuinely passionate about higher education and Williams, he was a pleasure to know, not only as a candidate, but as an intellectual role model; he engaged campus issues such as residential life with a bravery and commitment towards progress that students will respect.
He is the best choice, brave enough to push our community, humble and prepared to listen, charismatic, a joy, engaged and friendly, a person Williams will grow to cherish, both as a leader and member of its community.
— Alan Arias ’10, Member of the Search Committee
I am thrilled that Adam Falk will be joining us as our 17th President. He has many outstanding strengths, as will become immediately clear. Among them, he is a people person who values the contributions of all members of the campus community. Adam enjoys people, is warm and approachable, and is an adept listener. We heard repeatedly about Adam’s skills as a thoughtful decision maker and communicator; students, faculty, and staff knew what was going on at the School of Arts and Sciences. Adam built a strong administrative team there and was praised as someone who worked closely and well with his immediate team and with staff more generally.
— Dave Pilachowski, College Librarian and Member of the Search Committee
Adam’s warmth and humor engaged the Search Committee immediately; those same qualities will endear him to Williams alumni. He is a creative thinker and problem-solver who will bring great energy to the task of challenging us as an institution to develop a vision for who we can become in the next decade, and inspire us to get there together. He will be a compelling spokesperson for Williams and for the liberal arts. I can’t wait to take Adam on the road and introduce him to our alumni, who will find him an excellent listener and eager partner in the quest to continue the best Williams traditions while creating new ones.
— Sarah Underhill ’80, President of the Society of Alumni and Member of the Search Committee
Adam Falk is a first-rate teacher, scholar, and academic leader. He impressed the Search Committee with his energy and deep commitment to the liberal arts, and with the care and deliberation he showed in beginning to come to know and understand Williams. In our various conversations during the search, Adam engaged issues with intensity, curiosity, and humor, and with an unfailing instinct to get to the heart of the matter. It is obvious from his own accomplishments that Adam is committed to academic excellence, but we were delighted to learn that he is equally focused on values and culture and how one builds community. We are very fortunate to have Adam as the next president of Williams.
— Clayton Spencer ’77, Member of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee
Adam engaged us in highly energized, exciting conversations about higher education in general and Williams’ goals and values in particular. He was very astute, very warm, and humble at the same time. When our impressions were confirmed by every single one of the references from people who have worked for, above, and with him at Johns Hopkins, we knew we had found someone special. His considerable experience in managing the entire school of arts and sciences provides him with deep knowledge and respect for all academic disciplines. He has a record of working with the many people at a college — behind the scenes and in front of them — who support the academic, extracurricular, and residential enterprises. His dedication to making the residential and academic pieces of student life work together in the best way possible for all students in a diverse community will help us with one of the current challenges we face. His talent for asking great questions and leading groups of people to forge creative solutions to problems will help us with our future, yet unknown, challenges.
— Laurie Heatherington, Edward Dorr Griffin Professor of Psychology and Member of the Search Committee
As students, we felt an instant connection to Adam Falk. His energy and intellectual curiosity are simply contagious. He possesses a clear devotion to and nuanced understanding of the complete undergraduate education, both inside and outside of the classroom, that will surely inspire present and future students to their best lives at Williams.
— Elizabeth Brickley ’10, Member of the Search Committee
Enthusiasm for Adam began welling up in our first interactions. In the best tradition of both Williams and the liberal arts, Adam is first and foremost a teacher and scientist, dedicated equally to his field and to his students. These genuine interests, it seemed to us, were what helped him lead Johns Hopkins’ Arts & Sciences program so capably as it successfully reinvigorated and contemporized its undergraduate experience. He really ‘gets’ Williams’ mission and worked incredibly hard to then learn the essence of what makes Williams different and better from others of its kind. We’ll benefit greatly from his commitment to excellence as it integrates with what is already excellent about the college.
— Steve Harty ’73, Member of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee
I am delighted that Adam Falk will be the 17th President of Williams College. He has already worked hard to learn about and understand the College and is excited to learn even more. I know that he will love the College and will respect its traditions, but he will also challenge us as a community to think beyond our history in order to bring the College to an even better place. As a faculty member, I look forward to working with him for many years to come.
— Andrea Danyluk, Acting Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Computer Science, and Member of the Search Committee
Adam Falk is a talented administrator, dedicated educator, and passionate scholar. From our early meetings, he engaged the Presidential Search
Committee with his quick intellect, vibrant wit, and personable approach. He has provided exceptional leadership to the undergraduate program at JHU — working with others to strengthen both its academic programs and residential life. He has experience managing the challenges that face undergraduate institutions, while understanding,
developing, enriching, and preserving the mission of undergraduate education. From his past work and his discussions with the Search Committee, it is clear that Adam Falk believes in the value of undergraduate liberal arts as taught in a residential college setting. Moreover, he genuinely enjoys that setting. To Williams, I believe he will bring
energy, enthusiasm, and a continued thirst for excellence. I’m extremely excited and happy to have him join the Williams family.
— Valda Christian ’92, Member of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee
I have so loved working with Adam that I have to concede that I hate that Williams found out about him, but it was bound to happen. And, when I read the statement of qualifications and experience developed by the Presidential Search Committee, I said ‘that’s Adam.’
Williams College has made a splendid choice. Adam Falk brings extraordinary intelligence, outstanding leadership ability, deep understanding of the academic enterprise, and a warm, engaging personality to the post. I have no doubt that he will be a truly distinguished president of Williams and one beloved by all the constituents who care so deeply about this wonderful college.
— Paula Burger, Dean of Undergraduate Education and Vice Provost at Johns Hopkins
In Adam Falk, Williams has found a gifted and accomplished academic leader, a dedicated teacher, and splendid colleague. Adam is super bright, a careful listener, and completely lacking in pretense. Our years working together were among the most enjoyable and rewarding of my career. With Adam at the helm, I look forward to seeing Williams thrive in the years ahead.
— Daniel Weiss, President of Lafayette College and Former Colleague at Johns Hopkins
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