“They were in shock about what will happen next because I think that they really like me as dean,” Venky said. “There’s a sense of happiness for me, but it’s worrisome for them.”

“It was unexpected,” said Frederick H. Abernathy, McKay professor of mechanical engineering, after the faculty meeting. “No one who I know will be happy that he is leaving. His interpersonal skills are incomparable at Harvard.”

Wang Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Roger W. Brockett said that, although people were surprised by the announcement, he sees the reasons for Venky’s choice.

“I perfectly well understand why he would want to step down given all the responsiblities he had,” Brockett said. “It was a very big job.”

Ever since he was appointed as the dean of DEAS in 1998, Venky’s stated priorities for the division have been expanding its faculty and student enrollment to make engineering at Harvard more competitive with that of other schools. According to Venky, 16 senior faculty appointments have been made in DEAS during his time as dean.

The number of graduate students went from 72 per class in 1998 to 150 per class today, with graduate applications more than tripling over the same period, according to FAS spokesperson Stephen Bradt.

Venky, who currently oversees seven graduate students, said that he is looking forward to going back to

teaching, which he calls the “best job at a university.”

Venky said he will also help develop new engineering courses for non-concentrators in the College in order to “make engineering and technology more of a Harvard College experience.”

“I’m at peace with myself,” he said. “I love Harvard and I love the Division. I’m very happy with what I’ve done.”

—Staff writer May Habib can be reached at habib@fas.harvard.edu.