Maxwell Dean John L. Palmer to step down in June 2003

John L. Palmer, dean of the Maxwell School of Syracuse University since 1988, announced today that he intends to step down from his position on June 30, 2003. Palmer will retain his status as a professor of economics and public administration at the school. 

In a message sent today to the Maxwell community, Palmer observed that "By the end of next academic year, I will have served in the job for 15 years--which is about twice as long as I used to think an appropriate term for a job like this and which is eloquent testimony to just how congenial and worthy I've found our common enterprise." Palmer went on to say that "In making this announcement so far in advance of the event, I want to allow  ample time to work with all of you in ensuring a smooth transition of leadership for our beloved school." 

The Maxwell School, founded in 1924, is the premier academic institution in the United States committed to civic leadership and education in public and international affairs. It is home to Syracuse University's outstanding social science departments and to many nationally recognized multidisciplinary programs, centers and institutes. 

Maxwell has thrived under Palmer's leadership. U.S. News & World Report has recognized it as home to the nation's top graduate program for public affairs ever since the magazine began such rankings in 1995. The school has won numerous prestigious grants and awards, including a $4 million foundation grant in the early 1990s for innovations in undergraduate education; for running the National Security Studies program for high-level military and civilian managers of the Department of Defense since the mid-1990s; and, just last year, from the European Union to house one of a handful of academic centers in the United States devoted to the study of contemporary Europe. 

Also during Palmer's tenure, a $50 million development campaign was successfully completed to support the construction and high-tech equipping of Eggers Hall and the expansion of programs, faculty and student aid. The school's academic visibility has risen dramatically, as evidenced by the professional credentials of more than 90 new faculty appointments and the numerous national awards-Guggenheims, Fulbrights, Rhodes and Trumans-won by both faculty and students. 

"John Palmer has exerted strong and effective leadership in the Maxwell School," says SU Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw. "Maxwell's increased prominence is due to his leadership in attracting outstanding faculty and inspiring them to carry on the mission. He has been an outstanding leader." 

"It breaks my heart to think of John stepping down," says Vice Chancellor and Provost Deborah A. Freund. "But, thankfully, he will be on campus contributing in other ways. He has been a fabulous dean-at the forefront of pushing an already distinguished school even further and in new directions, which is now bringing us increased national and international visibility." 

Palmer, a renowned economist and public administrator, was appointed to a four-year term as public trustee for Social Security and Medicare in October 2000 by President Clinton. He was previously a senior fellow of The Brookings Institution and The Urban Institute in Washington, and assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

His publications include 12 books and nearly 50 professional and popular articles on a wide range of topics related to economic, budgetary and social policy. He has testified before Congress on numerous occasions and is a frequent consultant to federal agencies, national foundations and the National Academy of Sciences.

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Contact: Jill Leonhardt, director of communications, (315) 443-5492; jlleonha@maxwell.syr.edu.