President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: An Important Announcement from President Bilger
December 14, 2023
Dear Faculty and Staff,
Hugh Porter, Vice President for College Relations and Planning, has informed me of his intention to leave the college at the end of June 2024 after serving Reed with great distinction for over 25 years.
Hugh joined Reed from Yale University’s development office in 1998 as Director of Development. He was appointed Vice President for College Relations in 1999, and took on the role of institutional planning approximately five years ago. Hugh was appointed to serve as Acting President by the Board of Trustees for the 2018-19 academic year.
Hugh has overseen Alumni Programs, Advancement, Communications and Public Affairs, Institutional Research, Conference and Events Planning, and the Center for Life Beyond Reed. He planned and spearheaded the Centennial Campaign, the largest fundraising effort in Reed’s history, raising over $203 million, and subsequently oversaw the completion of a $50 million bridge campaign that concluded in December of 2020. He co-chaired the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group and was instrumental in helping to ensure the safety of the campus during the pandemic. He led the college through the recent strategic planning process and is working to position the college for success in the next comprehensive fundraising campaign.
In his role as Vice President, Hugh has supported the work of five presidents: Steven Koblik, Colin Diver, John Kroger, Peter Steinberger (acting), and myself. Hugh chaired the presidential transition planning teams that oriented both President Kroger and me to Reed.
Hugh has been a trusted colleague and valued member of my leadership team. I have personally benefited greatly from his wisdom, grace, depth of institutional knowledge, and friendship. He will assist in the transition to his successor and plans to remain connected to the college.
In the coming months, we will find opportunities to celebrate Hugh’s extraordinary leadership, his consummate professionalism, his remarkable care for the college, his boundless energy in support of the college’s values and mission, and his lasting legacy. I will be launching a national search for his replacement. In the meantime, please join me in expressing gratitude to him for his outstanding work on behalf of Reed.
Sincerely,
Audrey
Audrey Bilger
President