Iranian Named New Harvard Dean

[Rasputin]

The prestigious University of Harvard has appointed an Iranian professor, Mohsen Mostafavi, as Dean of its Graduate School of Design.

Harvard University President Drew G. Faust announced that Mohsen Mostafavi would be heading the Graduate School of Design in January 2008.

Faust said Mostafavi's intellectual vitality could serve the Design School well.

[Rasputin]

M . Mostafavi, dean of Cornell's College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP) since 2004, will be leaving Cornell to become dean of Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. His appointment begins in January of 2008.


"I congratulate Dean Mohsen Mostafavi on his new appointment, and Harvard for adding this wonderful leader to their distinguished faculty," said Cornell President David J. Skorton. "His contributions to Cornell's College of Architecture, Art and Planning and to the university, as well as the inspiration Mohsen has instilled among many Cornellians, are deeply appreciated. I join all of his colleagues in wishing him well in his new endeavors and look forward to learning of his future successes."

As dean of AAP, Mostafavi's accomplishments include: the appointment of the Rotterdam architectural firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture and its famed architect Rem Koolhaas, the 2000 winner of the Pritzker Prize, for the design of the planned Paul Milstein Hall for the college; fundraising initiatives for professorships, deanship, program support and scholarship; the founding of the AAP New York City Center; increased faculty appointments, including international practitioners and scholars; and a significant enhancement of the college's budget.

"Under Dean Mostafavi's leadership, AAP has achieved a new level of quality," said Cornell Provost Carolyn (Biddy) Martin. "Mohsen's creativity and initiative have enhanced the college's national and international reputation, expanding its programs into New York City, building more international partnerships, and bringing the most innovative artists, planners and architects to campus, not only to lecture but also to teach. Mohsen has provided intellectual leadership across the campus and has been a force in our universitywide efforts to enhance the visibility of the arts and humanities. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and will miss his intelligence, his values and his keen aesthetic sense. I wish him all the best in his new position."

Said Mostafavi: "The past few years have been an extremely productive period for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. It's been a wonderful opportunity for me personally to be able to work with such incredible students, faculty and staff. Both the leadership of the university as well as its dedicated alumni have played a major role in our success. I will miss the generous atmosphere and the enormous welcome that the Cornell community has extended to me."

Mostafavi will remain at Cornell until the end of Cornell's fall 2007 academic semester. Discussions have begun about an interim dean and an international search for Mostafavi's successor.