LeMenager promoted to director, associate dean of admission

This year University Dean of Admission Fred Hargadon and his office processed one more "yes" letter than usual.

On July 1, 2001, Stephen LeMenager was named director and associate dean of admission, a new position making him arguably the second most important man on campus in the eyes of high school seniors.

LeMenager's promotion will not drastically change the University's admissions process. Instead, it will help the admission office run smoother according to Hargadon.

Hargadon said in an e-mail that LeMenager will have three primary responsibilities: Overseeing basic internal operations in the admission office, coordinating the reading of applications and staffing the office.

"Simply put, he is responsible for making sure everyone is in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time," Hargadon said.

In addition, LeMenager's appointment will enable Hargadon to focus on different aspects of the admission process.

"What it does do is to allow the dean to focus less on day-to-day operational matters for a good part of the year and more on matters such as the eventual increase in the size of the undergraduate student body," Hargadon explained.

The admission office is preparing to accommodate the increase in work following the Board of Trustee's decision last year to enroll an additional 500 undergraduates.

Hargadon maintained that the existing system of processing applications and selecting a freshmen class will remain unchanged.

"The entire staff will contribute in the same effective manner as always," he said.

While some have speculated that LeMenager's promotion is an indication of Hargadon's impending retirement, Hargadon unequivocally dismissed such rumors.

"This is a well-deserved promotion which stands on its own merits and has nothing to do with my own future plans, not least of all because even I don't know what my future plans are," Hargadon said.

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LeMenager is not a stranger to 110 West College. He has worked in the admission office for the last 18 years. Most notably, he served as acting dean of admission last fall while Hargadon was on sabbatical.

Convinced by the "outstanding job" LeMenager did as acting dean, Hargadon said he was confident that LeMenager deserved his latest promotion.

"He is highly qualified and has earned it," Hargadon said.

Having worked together for 14 years, Hargadon and LeMenager differ little in their admission philosophies and general goals for the University. According to Hargadon, the men already seek one another's input in decision-making and respect one another's opinions.

"I don't think either he or I believe that we've cornered the market on wisdom or the absolutely right answer to every problem or glitch that arises," he said.

However, Hargadon stressed that despite the symbiotic nature of their professional relationship, they both realize and honor that the dean has ultimate authority over all Princeton-related matters.

Nevertheless, "I feel fortunate to have someone whose judgment I respect as much as I respect Mr. LeMenager's as the No. 2 person on the staff," Hargadon said.