According to the study, produced by ACE's Center for
Policy Analysis, the average age of presidents increased from 52 years
in 1986 to 60 years in 2006. While 42 percent of presidents in 1986 were
between the ages of 31 and 50, only 8 percent of presidents in 2006 were
in the same age bracket. Also, the proportion of presidents who were
aged 61 years or older grew from 14 percent in 1986 to 49 percent in
2006. Although some presidents continue to serve their institutions well
into their 70s (7 percent of 2006 presidents were aged 71 or older),
these findings suggest that many institutions will lose their presidents
to retirement in coming years. . . .
Excerpted from the winter 2007 issue of The
Presidency. To subscribe to the magazine, please call (301) 632-6757,
or order online throughACE’s
bookstore.
