The Smithsonian picks new leader

The museum’s new official acknowledged that the complex is facing challenges.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Smithsonian Institution returned to its academic roots on Saturday, naming the president of Georgia Tech as the new leader of the museum complex beleaguered by financial scandals.

G. Wayne Clough, an engineer by training, will become the 12th secretary of the world’s largest museum and research complex on July 1, assuming control of an institution that has been in turmoil in the past year.

“I know the Smithsonian has challenges,” Clough said at a news conference. “We will surmount those challenges.”

Clough, 66, called the institution “a treasure” and “a great integrator of knowledge” from different subject areas.

Smithsonian board Chairman Roger Sant promised Clough would usher in a new era. “When you see this man in action, as you will, you will understand why he is renowned for his integrity, vision and leadership,” Sant said.

Clough has served as Georgia Tech president since 1994 and has degrees in civil engineering. He is credited with transforming the Atlanta school into a top 10 public university, boosting research spending and raising nearly $1.5 billion. He previously held high-level posts at the University of Washington and Virginia Tech and taught at Stanford and Duke universities.

“During his remarkable career, Wayne has shown an ability to dramatically advance the institutions and constituencies he has served,” said Alan Spoon, a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents and chairman of the search committee.

Clough offers new perspective on how to link the sciences with arts and humanities, Spoon said.

The Smithsonian, which includes the National Zoo and the National Air and Space Museum, has much in common with a university, Clough said. He noted it has a similar budget and staff size to that of Georgia Tech.

“Fortunately,” he said with a laugh, “the Smithsonian does not yet have a football or basketball team.”

During Clough’s tenure at Georgia Tech, the school was put on probation by the NCAA for the first time in school history for using 17 academically ineligible athletes in four sports.

The first 10 secretaries to lead the institution had academic backgrounds, most of them in the sciences. The last, businessman Lawrence Small, resigned a year ago amid an investigation into his spending. Several top officials followed him out the door.