Make the Bold Choice

At a meeting of the Harvard Medical School (HMS) faculty shortly after Charles W. Eliot, Class of 1853, assumed Harvard’s presidency, professor Henry Bigelow questioned the new president about sweeping changes that Eliot had proposed—including the shocking requirement that students pass all their classes to get a degree. Bigelow pointed out that HMS had been “managing its own affairs well” for quite some time and inquired why Eliot felt dramatic change was necessary. Eliot responded, “I can answer Dr. Bigelow’s question very easily; there is a new president.”