Friends and former colleagues wish Dan well as he prepares to lead the Aspen Institute. Here is a sampling of congratulatory messages from Institute trustees, experts, and guests.
“Dan Porterfield is one of our nation’s most dynamic leaders. He has a proven track record of not only being successful, but also of making a positive impact on the organizations he leads and the communities they serve. As a college president, Dan has been held in the highest regard by students, faculty, and board members because he is public-spirited and dedicated to making a difference. The world needs strong, thoughtful, and engaging leaders such as Dan. He is the right person at the right time for the Aspen Institute.”
–Madeleine K. Albright, Former Secretary of State; Aspen Institute Trustee
“Dan Porterfield is the leading innovator I know in America’s private universities. He has been a fantastic president of Franklin & Marshall and the Aspen Institute is lucky to have him in the job.”
–– Donald E. Graham, Chairman of Graham Holdings Company; former Chairman, The Washington Post Company
“I can think of no one better prepared to lead the Aspen Institute than Dan Porterfield. Dan is a visionary leader. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to higher education and to promoting the common good of our society. His ability to bring together thought-leaders across communities to address some of our world’s most complex problems is extraordinary and I look forward to all he will accomplish as he begins in this new role.”
–John J. DeGioia, President, Georgetown University
“As an exceptional leader in education and an influential public voice on issues ranging from the value of a liberal arts education, to the importance of increasing college access, to the expansion of opportunity to all Americans, Daniel Porterfield is an excellent choice to lead the Aspen Institute and carry its mission forward. I have been heartened by President Porterfield’s focus on furthering social justice through quality postsecondary education during his tenure as president of Franklin & Marshall College. And I have been especially encouraged by his work to increase college access and success for low-income students as well as his efforts to support the holistic development and needs of all F&M students so that they may graduate and thrive in the workforce and in life. I wish President Porterfield the best as he embarks on this exciting new opportunity.”
–John B. King Jr., President and CEO, The Education Trust; Former US Secretary of Education
“Dan Porterfield uniquely and powerfully combines vision, execution excellence and superb listening and learning skills that make him a natural collaborator. He has changed Franklin & Marshall and higher education for the better. He will be a superb asset to the Aspen Institute and your urgent mission.”
–Kenneth B. Mehlman, Member, KKR & Co; Former Chairman, Republican National Committee
“The Aspen Institute makes a brilliant choice by appointing Dan Porterfield as President. Just as Dan opened up higher education to a thrilling diversity of talent ranging from rural to urban poor, so will he open the Aspen Institute to lively minds everywhere. Dan has the range of intellect and heart to orchestrate the great conversation America so badly needs about the future of opportunity and of our country.”
–David Coleman, President and CEO, The College Board
“In the higher education world, Dan has been a trailblazer. Under his leadership, Franklin & Marshall has become a national model for how a college can support first-generation college students to earn degrees and reach their full potential. Dan is living proof of what’s possible when you show up for students, believe in their talent, and rethink what higher education can do for them. He will bring this same type of transformational leadership to the Aspen Institute.”
–Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation
“I’ve seen the profound impact that Dan’s leadership, insight, and vision have had on the rising generation of leaders at Georgetown and Franklin & Marshall as well as the important ways in which he has influenced the conversation around diversity and inclusiveness across institutions of higher education. He’s a bold and brilliant choice to take the reins from the legendary Walter Isaacson and maximize the Aspen Institute’s platform to ensure we’re having the difficult discussions and shaping the new ideas necessary at this critical point in our nation and in global affairs.”
–Wendy Kopp, co-founder and CEO, Teach For All; founder, Teach For America