Newseum names new CEO: Jeffrey Herbst

By the Washington Post

The former president of Colgate University has been named the next president and chief executive of the Newseum and the Newseum Institute, museum officials announced Thursday.

Jeffrey Herbst, 54, a Princeton-educated political scientist, will take over the financially troubled museum of journalism on Aug. 3, after five years as president of the private liberal arts school in New York. Herbst replaces Jim Duff, who resigned in October after three years.

In a joint statement, Peter Prichard, chairman and chief executive of the Newseum, and Jan Neuharth, chair of the Freedom Forum, a nonprofit that supports the Newseum, said Herbst was selected for his deep fundraising experience and record for leading complex institutions.

“And he shares a passion for our mission – to champion First Amendment freedoms and the right of free expression. That’s why he was our unanimous choice to help us achieve our ambitious goals over the next decade and beyond.”

Herbst arrives at a difficult time for the organization, a sprawling complex on Pennsylvania Avenue that is $307 million in debt. The organization has reported annual operating deficits almost every year since it opened in the District in 2008, despite an average annual subsidy from the Freedom Forum of $34 million.

Internal documents from last November show the museum’s finances were shaky enough for its leaders to consider offering investors stakes in its building in return for immediate cash. The documents also report the organization is the early planning of a $250 million fundraising effort.

During his five years at Colgate, Herbst helped complete a $480 million fundraising campaign, including $54 million for financial aid that was above the initial goal. He is also credited with enhancing the university’s use of digital technology, including online learning.

Herbst announced in January that he would not renew his contract with Colgate when it expired on June 30.