Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, N.Y. 10027

L SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICA Cc Schermerhorn Hall

April 5, 1967

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Genetics Department

School of Medicine

Stanford University

Palo Alto, California 94304

Dear Josh:

I am turning to a few friends for advice on an important
matter. The University has appointed a Search Committee for
a new Chairman of its recently formed Department of Biological
Sciences. I am the Chairman of this Committee. Beginning
July 1 I will be, also, the Chairman of the Department--to
serve until the new Chairman is appointed, hopefully before
September 1968. There is a great opportunity for someone to
guide the expansion of the Department under very favorable
circumstances. The educational and scientific opportunities
of the New York City area have always been enormous and, added
to this, the University is fully behind the Department's plans
for a vigorous expansion. In fact, the University Administra-
tion now regards the development of biology as one of its most
important objectives,

Columbia has embarked on a 200 million dollar fund drive
and the new biology building is near the top of the list of .
projects for which these funds will be used. Space is avail-
able for construction and the working plans are now being drawn.
The new building will allow for a doubling of the Department's
facilities, staff, and programs.

Even before these new quarters are available, the Univer-
sity is encouraging the Department to seek new staff members,
especially scientists of maturity and distinction. At the top
of the list of needs is the person to serve as Chairman of the
Department. In this connection, we require an outstanding
biologist with sound administrative abilities that will enable
him to develop a well-rounded Department of Biological Sciences.

Any suggestions that you have will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

John A. Moore

JAM:1f FA OTe tayo oe