Earlier this week in a letter to the Harvard Business School (HBS) community, Dean Jay Light announced that he plans to retire on June 30, 2010.
Light, who joined the HBS faculty 40 years ago, has served as dean for the past five. “I realize there will never be a good time to leave,” he wrote. “I’ve stayed somewhat longer than I intended, in fact, largely because of all of you,” he continued.
In an interview with the Harvard Gazette on December 2nd, the day he announced his retirement, Light reflected on his 40 years as part of the HBS faculty as well as his time as the inaugural doctoral student in a joint-degree program between HBS and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
In the interview, he shared details about his first day of class at HBS, revealed what he found most surprising when he stepped into the role of dean and reflected on what he’s most proud of during his tenure at the school. He also talked some about the future of management education and the opportunities and challenges facing his successor.
HBS President Drew Faust will soon be launching a search for a new dean, Light wrote in his letter to the community. Come June, Light looks forward to having more time to write, sail and spend with his wife as well as to reflect on the last 40 years, he told the Gazette.
To read the full Harvard Gazette interview with Light, click here.
