Derek Bok facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Derek Bok
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|---|---|
| 25th President of Harvard University | |
| In office Acting July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Lawrence Summers |
| Succeeded by | Drew Gilpin Faust |
| In office 1971–1991 |
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| Preceded by | Nathan M. Pusey |
| Succeeded by | Neil Leon Rudenstine |
| 7th Dean of Harvard Law School | |
| In office 1968–1971 |
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| Preceded by | Erwin Griswold |
| Succeeded by | Albert Sacks |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Derek Curtis Bok
March 22, 1930 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Sissela Myrdal
(m. 1955) |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | Edward Bok (grandfather) Mary Louise Curtis (grandmother) Cyrus H. K. Curtis (great-grandfather) Hilary Bok (daughter) Gordon Bok (cousin) |
| Education | Stanford University (BA) Harvard University (JD) George Washington University (MA) Sciences Po |
| Occupation | Lawyer, college administrator |
Derek Curtis Bok was born on March 22, 1930. He is an American lawyer and teacher. He is best known for being the president of Harvard University for many years.
Contents
Early Life and School
Derek Bok was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. After his parents separated, he moved several times with his mother, brother, and sister. They eventually settled in Los Angeles, where he spent most of his childhood.
He went to college at Stanford University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1951. He then studied law at Harvard Law School, getting his law degree in 1954. He also studied at Sciences Po in France and George Washington University.
A Career in Education
Derek Bok started teaching law at Harvard in 1958. He became the dean of the law school there from 1968 to 1971. A dean is like a principal for a specific part of a university.
After that, he became the 25th president of Harvard. He served in this important role from 1971 to 1991. He took over after the previous president left suddenly.
During his time as president, Bok worked to improve education for college students. He started a special project called the Harvard Assessment Seminar. This project led to a popular book that helped students make the most of their college experience.
He also helped bring Radcliffe College and Harvard College closer together. Eventually, these two famous schools fully joined.
Helping Teachers and Students
A special place at Harvard, the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, was created during his presidency. This center helps teachers at Harvard become even better at teaching. It shows how much Derek Bok cared about good teaching.
The Harvard Extension School also created the Derek Bok Public Service Prizes. These awards are given each year to students who do great work helping their communities.
After his first time as president, Bok continued to teach at Harvard. He taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kennedy School.
In 2001, he received the University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Education. This award was for a book he wrote about how colleges consider race when admitting students.
Interim President
Derek Bok returned to lead Harvard again for a short time. He served as the interim president from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007. He stepped in after the previous president, Lawrence Summers, resigned. He led the university until Drew Gilpin Faust became the new president.
He is also a member of important groups like the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Personal Life
In 1955, Derek Bok married Sissela Bok, who is a sociologist and philosopher. Her parents, Gunnar Myrdal and Alva Myrdal, were famous Swedish thinkers who won Nobel Prizes.
Derek Bok's daughter, Hilary Bok, is a philosophy professor at Johns Hopkins University.
His family has many interesting connections. His father, Curtis Bok, was a judge. His grandfather, Edward Bok, was a well-known magazine editor. His great-grandfather, Cyrus H. K. Curtis, started a big publishing company that made popular magazines like The Saturday Evening Post. His cousin, Gordon Bok, is a famous folk singer.
