Dear Members of the Swarthmore College Community,

Nearly 12 years ago, on a rainy November Saturday, I arrived on campus for the first time. I will never forget the moment I walked past the Rose Garden and saw Parrish Beach unfolding down both sides of Magill Walk. That vista stirred something in me that I tried to describe in my inaugural address the following October: the sense that the College was speaking to me, not simply through its beauty, but through the story embedded in its landscape and its people. I had the unmistakable sensation that I had found my place, and that feeling has been reaffirmed again and again throughout my 11 years as part of this community.

Today, I write to share with you that I have decided to conclude my time as president of Swarthmore College, effective June 30, 2027. I’m announcing my decision now to ensure that there is time for a thoughtful, seamless transition. You will hear from Board of Managers Chair Harold “Koof” Kalkstein ’78 later today with an overview of the process to identify my successor. 

Serving as Swarthmore’s 15th president has been one of the great privileges of my life. Every day, I am reminded that, in addition to its academic excellence, Swarthmore is defined by the students whose curiosity and conviction inspire us all; the faculty whose teaching and scholarship expand the boundaries of knowledge; by the staff members whose dedication sustains our shared work; and by alumni, families, and friends whose stories are living testaments to the power of a Swarthmore education, and whose loyalty and generosity ensure that this community continues to thrive.

These are tumultuous times. Like many institutions, we are navigating new pressures, including unprecedented threats to our very mission. We will continue to face these challenges together, thoughtfully and deliberately. In doing so, we reaffirm Swarthmore’s enduring value. Our commitment to disciplined scholarship, inspired creativity, and open dialogue across difference not only transforms us as individuals, but is essential to both a healthy democracy and a just society. 

Over the next year and a half, my focus will remain on the work before us — advancing our strategic priorities through Swarthmore Forward and strengthening the foundation upon which the College’s next chapter will be built. I look forward to continuing those efforts together with you.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me to serve as Swarthmore’s president. This community has shaped me in ways I could not have imagined when I first looked out over Parrish Beach nearly 12 years ago. I hope that, in turn, I have contributed to strengthening the College for the generations who will follow.

With appreciation,

Val Smith
Swarthmore College President
Roy J. and Linda G. Shanker Presidential Chair