Andrew Samwick Reflects on Time as Head of Rockefeller Center

Andrew Samwick, the Sandra L. and Arthur L. Irving ’72a P’10 Professor of Economics, concluded his 15-year tenure as the center’s director last week. He joined the faculty in the Department of Economics in 1994 and was named director of the center in 2004. He plans to return to teaching and research. The search for the next director is underway.

Under Samwick, the Rockefeller Center has created an experiential public policy curriculum and leadership development programs that are recognized as some of the best across academia and the private sector. The center’s wide range of leadership and public policy programs have been part of many hundreds of students’ Dartmouth experience. Rocky alumni have gone on to influential careers, in government at all levels, in the nonprofit sector, and in a range of private sector areas. Many maintain their ties to the center by taking part in leadership seminars and providing internship opportunities for each new crop of undergraduates.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Elizabeth Smith says that under Samwick’s direction, the Rockefeller Center has grown in breadth.

“Andrew has guided the center’s transformation into a hugely dynamic force on campus, one that draws increasing numbers of students to its leadership programs,” she says. “The students who have taken part in these programs are well prepared to step into public policy work when they leave the College.”

Samwick recently spoke with Dartmouth News about his time leading the center and his hopes for its future.

The entire interview is published on Dartmouth News.