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Bard College Names Marvin Krislov as 16th President
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New President Named Amid Ongoing Controversy
Bard College announced that Marvin Krislov, the current president of Pace University, will assume the college’s presidency on July 1, 2027 for a three-year term. The Board of Trustees selected Krislov in a unanimous vote, succeeding acting president Jonathan Becker, who has been leading the institution since former president Leon Botstein stepped down.
Background: Botstein Tenure and Recent Scrutiny
Leon Botstein had led Bard for 51 years, a period the college describes as “transformative.” In the summer of 2026 he retired amid intensified scrutiny of his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A May 2026 letter from Rep. Botstein denied sending the message and maintained that his contacts with Epstein were solely fundraising-related. The controversy prompted Botstein to relinquish all Bard-affiliated positions in early October 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Board commissioned FTI Consulting, a cybersecurity firm, to examine the disputed email.
- Rep. Raskin’s letter to the Board called for a federal investigation into Botstein’s communications with Epstein.
- Botstein has continued to assert that any correspondence with Epstein was intended to secure donations for Bard.
Data & Statistics
- Bard serves more than 6,500 students across associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs worldwide.
- The college has raised $1 billion in the past five years to bolster its endowment.
- Recent campus projects include a Passive-House residential complex housing over 400 students and a 25,000-square-foot Maya Lin-designed performing-arts studio.
- At Pace, Krislov oversaw record public and private funding, increased enrollment and graduation rates, and launched the Sands College of Performing Arts.
Why It Matters
Krislov’s appointment arrives as Bard confronts heightened public and legislative scrutiny while seeking to sustain its reputation for innovative liberal-arts education. His experience in fundraising, campus development, and advocacy for student mental health positions him to navigate the college through a “challenging era for higher education,” according to board statements. The transition also signals Bard’s intent to move beyond the Botstein era and reaffirm its commitments to civic engagement, artistic integration, and educational equity.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The forensic analysis by FTI Consulting suggests the email could be fabricated, yet some congressional Democrats expressed skepticism, arguing the report did not explain how a false message might have been created or why the original could have been deleted.
- No definitive legal determination has been made regarding the email’s authenticity, leaving the matter unresolved pending any further investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Marvin Krislov is the ideal leader to guide the college forward at a pivotal moment in the institution’s 166-year history,” — Brandon Weber, of trustees chairman
What’s Next
Krislov will formally take office on July 1, 2027, beginning a three-year term that will shape Bard’s direction amid ongoing public attention to its leadership and governance.