This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
David W. Ellis, president of Lafayette from 1978-1990, is retiring from his position as president and director of The Museum of Science in Boston after 12 years of service. He has led the museum through a period of innovative programming changes, financial stability, and fundraising success.
In his retirement, Ellis and his wife, Marion, plan to visit his daughter, Audrey, and family in Italy. “Marion and I want to do a lot of things—build a house, travel, and spend time together as a family,” says Ellis. He enjoys driving his 1956 Thunderbird and hopes to have more time for woodworking, cooking, and outdoor activities. When asked about his 12-year term as president of Lafayette, Ellis said he “loved it.”
The Museum of Science, one of the world’s largest science centers, consistently has the largest attendance of any New England cultural institution, with 1.6 million visitors last year. It has more than 550 interactive exhibitions, a rich array of educational programs, and vibrant ties to the community. Under Ellis, the museum’s endowment tripled to $77 million. “David is leaving the museum stronger, healthier, and ready to move into the future,” says John F. Reno, Museum of Science board chair.
Within two years of his arrival, the museum had balanced its annual budget, opened the first activity center in its long-range exhibit plan, and initiated three construction projects: the Discovery Center, the Suit-Cabot Laboratory Classroom, and renovation of the Live Animal Center.
Ellis also initiated development of an adaptive long-range plan to identify strategic goals for the museum’s future. Implementation of that plan has involved increasing the museum’s educational impact, strengthening its diversity and access initiatives, a museum-wide focus on audience needs and services, and enhancing technology throughout the museum’s exhibits, programs, and operations.
“David leads by example,” says Jonathan Burke, director of visitor services at the Museum. “During vacations and other busy times, he was often in front of the box office in his red lab coat, helping out, answering visitors’ questions and directing traffic. He really liked connecting with visitors and staff.”
Ellis saw the need to respond to the accelerating changes of science and technology, and helped create the Current Science & Technology Center, a dynamic educational environment that presents and interprets scientific and technological news.
“With the accelerating pace of science and technology, there is both the necessity and the opportunity for the museum to extend and shape itself for the audiences of the future,” says Ellis. “Necessity because the public must be educated to deal with a rapidly changing world intelligently and morally. And opportunity because the museum can reach new audiences, by adding technology to science in educational and entertaining ways.”
Ellis’ recognition of changing technology was evident in his tenure as Lafayette president as well. It was during his term that the major of computer science was introduced into the curriculum.
Ellis received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Haverford College. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1962. From 1962 to 1978, he held a variety of positions at University of New Hampshire, from assistant professor of chemistry to vice provost and vice president for academic affairs. He then became the third generation in the Ellis family to be a college president.
David W. Ellis, former president 1978-90, is retiring from The Museum of Science in Boston.