OFFICE MEMORANDUM e STANFORD UNIVERSITY © OFFICE MEMORANDUM e@ STANFORD UNIVERSITY @ OFFICE MEMORANDUM

To

From

SUBJECT:

pare: AUG 10 1970

Professor David Hamburg
Chairman, Faculty Committee on Presidential Search

Joshua Lederberg

Dept. of Gene
Response to Faculty westionnaire, Suggested names.
Dear Dave-~-

Richard Lyman stands out with unusual clarity as the
most appropriate candidate to be considered for the Presi-
dency of Stanford University. That his appeal can stand
up to our close, working familiarity with him is an unusual
testimony. I am sure he would be rated even more enthusias-
tically if he were at another institution and we did not
take for granted already “owning" him.

Kingman Brewster and John Gardner are two other fine
men whose credentials might be compared to Lyman's. But even
if they were available, I would prefer Lyman for this par-
ticular role, in part because the others' interests and ain-
bitions may be ditected beyond the university in ways that,
however socidly beneficial] may not be in the best interests
of an academic institution. Lyman has, above all, deep-
rooted concerna and instincts about the integrity of aca-
demic scholarship, coupled with a mealistic and well-arti-
culated view of the role of the university in modern life.

We have the unique advantage of having been able to
assess Lyman'ts capabilities on the job through his work as
provost. It is remarkable how well he has earned the res-
pect of every segment of the university ¢omnunity, and a
well justified reputation for fair- and open smindedness,
while having maintained a tough defense of the university
against innumerable assaults from every particular quarter.

I have not always agreed with his positions, but have
never been able to doubt their validity. During his term
as provost he has also learned how to strengthen the processes
of building a consensus, without the impairment of authority,
A man of his integrity and sense of responsibility often finds
to difficult to delegate that responsibility to others, in the
often justifiable belief that others may not meet his own
standards ; but I believe he has learned the practical arts
of administration to a degree that is extraordinary for such
a temperament, and which will effectively complement his
sense and talent of leadership.

Lyman's appointment would also carry the bonus of an
early resolution of the hiatus of authority at a particularly
crucial time. This is not my principal reason for supporting
his name, but it hag important practical merit.

Sincerely,

Joshua Lederberg

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