Bard College appointed Jonathan Becker—executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs—as acting president effective July 1, after the conclusion of Leon Botstein’s 51-year presidency. Becker will chair a newly formed leadership council while Bard’s Board of Trustees conducts a “deliberate and inclusive search” for a permanent president. The leadership change follows months of disruption connected to the U.S. Justice Department’s files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which included more information about Botstein’s relationship with Epstein. An external law firm’s findings in April reported that Botstein “minimized and was not fully accurate” about his relationship in statements to the Bard community. In announcing Becker’s interim role, the Board framed the appointment as a stability measure while it rebuilds leadership continuity amid legal and reputational scrutiny.