Lemann will also use his free time to work on a new book

In the official email announcement this morning, PrezBo stated that Nicholas Lemann, Dean of the J-School, will not seek another five-year term. During his ten years as dean, Lemann oversaw “fundraising and capital improvements” such as in the new broadcast studio, student center, and café.

Working with faculty and the broader community of people interested in the School, Nick helped create a comprehensive and modern curriculum…The innovations included the decision to study and teach both the craft of journalism and the intellectual context for its practice, and the institution of a new Master of Arts in Journalism program stressing subject-matter expertise to complement the Journalism School’s core Master of Science program.

A New York Times article from last night noted that it is uncharacteristic for PrezBo himself to lead the search for a candidate. Typically, a separate committee provides three potential candidates. The article attributes this to the opinion that “journalism is in such a transitional phase” and that, in PrezBo’s words, the choice “was not only crucial to Columbia, but to the broader society.”

Lemann will continue to teach at the J-School and write for The New Yorker, where he has been a staff writer since 1999.

Lemann via J-School