Peter Eden takes up president’s role at Franklin Pierce University
Aug 5, 2024
By Ashley Saari, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
New Franklin Pierce University President Peter Eden said the campus is ripe for evolution as he took the reins at the university last week.
Eden took over from former President Kim Mooney, who retired from the position at the end of June. Eden, who most recently served as president of Landmark College in Vermont, said he was attracted to the larger, but still-intimate campus, the university’s Division II athletics and its emphasis on science and health profession programs – but also that “it has all the pieces” to evolve.
“It has all the pieces we need to continue to stabilize the campus to make it even stronger as a safe, inclusive environment with a personalized approach to learning and living, while we continue to invest in online and academic centers across the U.S.,” Eden said.
Eden, originally from Massachusetts, said his educational background lies in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics and biotechnology. He spent the first part of his career in the biopharmaceutical field, working for a biotech firm as a research director.
“It was wonderful at the time, but I realized that I wanted to be in an environment where I could help young people, and I wanted to teach,” Eden said.
He made what he said many around him called a “radical move” by taking a second post-doctoral appointment teaching a course at the College of the Atlantic to gain some experience and moving into the academic field.
“I can’t believe I had the courage to do it, but it was the best thing I ever did,” Eden said.
Eden said he cut his teeth in administration as a science department chair, where he was part of developing new academic programs and saw the direct benefits he could have on students. He said it was his first experience with administration, and he knew that he wanted to grow in that area. He later became the dean of arts and sciences at Endicott College before becoming the president at Landmark.
Now, he said he’s ready for a new challenge with Franklin Pierce. He said the university’s work in the science and health professions was one of the attractions, given his own work history.
“That fits my background. I feel as though I can contribute,” Eden said.
Eden said the campus’s early investment in online programming and opening academic centers around the country, where many small-to-midsize institutions struggle to attract students because of their populations and older-leaning demographics, is a boon.
He was also attracted to the culture of the college.
“The thing that we do well is a genuine community – this sounds trite, but it’s true – of people that want students to succeed,” Eden said. “I really see that here.”
That extends beyond the campus, with multiple partnerships between the university and Jaffrey and Rindge, including volunteerism within the community and professional partnerships such as with the Jaffrey-Rindge School District, which hosts the educational program’s student-teacher program and even some classes on campus. Eden said he’d like to see those opportunities grow.
“Relationships are all that matter, in any walk of life. Making sure that we maintain the relationships with people in the community -- this institution is not going to change in that regard,” Eden said. “We would love to expand some of the partnerships we have with others in this area and the Keene area. It's all about gaining experience. We will not be going backward in that area; we will grow them, hopefully. We are a very important part of the community and we want to give more than we take from the community. We're partners.”
Eden said when he was hired at Landmark 13 years ago, it was because they were struggling financially and looking to make major changes. He said within a year after his hiring, the college had pivoted from a two-year to four-year institution, started and then expanded online programs. He later led major campaigns to raise funds for a new STEM building and athletics field.
At Franklin Pierce, Eden said the university needs leadership that can balance the financial challenges facing all small New England colleges, and polishing and promoting some of its existing features – particularly its health profession programming. Part of that, he said, will be addressing marketing and advertising.
“We know we have good programs and offerings. We don’t know whether enough people hear of them,” Eden said.
While Eden said it will be an ongoing conversation with the college’s board of trustees, he also anticipates the university will be launching a fundraising campaign. He said he envisions a comprehensive campaign to address physical enhancements, facilities improvements, student scholarships and program expansion, along with growing the college’s endowment.
“We’re ready for it,” Eden said, of a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
