Panel reunites Lafayette College’s past presidents for leadership discussion

As part of Lafayette College’s Bicentennial celebration, President Nicole Hurd will host a panel discussion featuring three past presidents of the institution: David W. Ellis, Daniel H. Weiss, and Alison R. Byerly. Free and open to the public, the event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the leaders who have occupied the College’s highest office, spanning Lafayette’s past, present, and future.

The panel discussion, slated for 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in Colton Chapel, will explore the evolving opportunities and challenges of higher education leadership across nearly five decades of institutional history. Together, the participants will share personal reflections on leading Lafayette College through extraordinary periods of campus growth, academic expansion, and cultural change, while also examining the vital qualities required of next-generation leaders.

“Bringing together three past presidents during our Bicentennial celebration is a deeply meaningful moment for Lafayette College,” Hurd said. “Presidents Ellis, Weiss, and Byerly each left an indelible mark on our campus community. I am honored to moderate a conversation looking back at their legacies while exploring the promise of our unique vision and purpose as we launch our third century.”

Featured Participants

• Nicole Hurd, Ph.D. (moderator and current president):  Hurd joined Lafayette College as its 18th president in 2021. She initiated and is now leading the implementation of a campus master plan and strategic plan designed to strengthen the excellence and impact of Lafayette. Together, these major initiatives are guiding the College’s priorities across all aspects of its work, from the bicentennial and celebration of an incredible history of academic excellence, through setting the course for Lafayette’s third century. Under her leadership, applications have increased 32 percent since fall 2021 to record totals. A tireless advocate for educational opportunity, she previously founded and led College Advising Corps (CAC), the largest college access nonprofit in the United States. She was honored for her work with CAC as a 2016 White House Champion of Change for College Opportunity and a Featured Innovator by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• David W. Ellis, Ph.D. (president, 1978-90): Serving 12 years as Lafayette’s 13th president, Ellis guided the College through significant academic expansion, capital growth, and endowment strengthening. A physical chemist by background, he went on to serve as president and director of the Museum of Science in Boston following his Lafayette presidency.
• Daniel Weiss, Ph.D. (president, 2005-13): As Lafayette’s 16th president, Weiss led a major strategic planning initiative that expanded the faculty, enhanced interdisciplinary programs, and increased financial aid resources. An accomplished art historian, he later served as president of Haverford College and as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is currently director and CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• Alison Byerly, Ph.D. (president, 2013-21): Byerly served as Lafayette’s 17th president and was the first woman to lead the institution. Her tenure was marked by an ambitious strategy that expanded financial aid, developed new campus infrastructure, and fostered inclusive academic excellence. She currently serves as president of Carleton College.

Event Details

Event: The Lafayette Presidency: Reflections from the President’s Office
Date: 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9
Location: Easton, Pa. | Colton Chapel
Admission: The event is free and open to the public