And when the economic crisis struck halfway through Light’s deanship, financial matters occupied his attention, and professors say that the priorities of the school shifted from innovation to preservation.

During his tenure, Light oversaw the renovation of the Baker Library, the completion of the $600 million capital campaign, and the creation of the 2+2 program, which allows rising seniors to apply and, if accepted, work for two years after graduation before matriculating.

He also presided over the expansion of the Business School’s focus on entrepreneurship and the Global Initiative—a push to increase the international exposure of the Business School, including the implementation of the overseas Immersion Experience Program for students and the opening of the Harvard Shanghai Center.

Light says that his role in bringing about these changes mostly involved persuading and coordinating faculty to convince them to support his vision.

“A school is a really interesting place to try to lead,” Light says. “A firm yet inspiring touch is the art of the job.”

But several faculty members say that many of these initiatives could not have been accomplished so quickly without the groundwork completed under Clark.

“You don’t build a new center in China in three years,” Lorsch says. “I think he didn’t know how long he would be here, and changes take time.”

Light’s tenure was the shortest ever for a Business School dean, and in a Dec. 2009 email to the community announcing his departure, he acknowledged the brevity of his deanship, which may have made it difficult to carve out a unique agenda.

“I’ve stayed somewhat longer than I intended, in fact, largely because of all of you: your commitment to HBS, and your support, have made this a wonderful period for both Judy and me,” Light wrote.

“But I believe it’s time to let a new Dean guide the future path of this very special institution,” he added.

—Staff writer Tara W. Merrigan can be reached at tmerrigan@college.harvard.edu.