Salem Shuchman ’84 has been selected as the 15th chair of the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College. Shuchman, whose appointment was announced at the Board's quarterly meeting this past weekend, will succeed Tom Spock ’78, who has served as chair for three years, a full term as designated by the Board’s bylaws. Shuchman's term will begin at the end of the Board's meeting in May.

"Salem’s longstanding service to the College and leadership on the Board makes him a natural fit for the role," says William Boulding ’77, who chaired the search committee.

Shuchman served on the Board from 2000-2012 and rejoined in 2013. Since then, he served as vice chair of the Board from 2013-2015 and chair of the nominating and governance committee from 2015-2017. He currently chairs the investment committee. He also served as chair of Swarthmore’s most recent presidential search committee resulting in the appointment of President Valerie Smith.

“Salem’s commitment to Swarthmore has been tremendous,” says Spock, who will remain on the Board. “From his frequent visits to the Lang Center to talk to students, to his longstanding engagement as a Manager, and his skillful handing of the presidential search process, he has always made Swarthmore a priority. He’ll be a terrific chair.”

As chair, Shuchman will lead the Board in its fiduciary and oversight responsibilities and will work closely with the president to ensure that a Swarthmore education continues to be available to all qualified students regardless of financial need.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as Swarthmore's next Board chair," Shuchman says. "I’m looking forward to my continued work with fellow alumni, students, faculty, and staff to ensure that Swarthmore’s priorities remain focused on academics and access.”

President Smith also praised the selection. “As one of the first people I got to know at the College, Salem has always provided me with excellent counsel,” she says. “I’ve come to value and depend upon his insights and am looking forward to working with him and the Board as we continue our efforts to provide an academically rich environment for our students and advance the common good.”

About Salem Shuchman ’84

Salem Shuchman is the founder and managing partner of Entrepreneur Partners, a Philadelphia-based private equity firm he launched in 2005. Prior to founding Entrepreneur Partners, he was a senior partner at Apax Partners, a global private equity firm. 

In 2013, he and his wife, Dr. Barbara Klock ’86, provided the lead gift for a new fitness and wellness center on campus that opened the following year. Called the Matchbox, the name refers to the fact that they, like many couples, found their life partners while at Swarthmore, leading some to refer to the College as a “Quaker Matchbox.”

Shuchman earned a B.A. with honors in political science with minors in economics and philosophy from Swarthmore. At the College, he was among the inaugural class of Lang Opportunity Scholars and received the Ivy Award at Swarthmore’s commencement, given to the outstanding man in the graduating class.

Shuchman lives in Center City Philadelphia. He and his wife are the parents of Michaela Shuchman ’16 and twin sons, Isaiah and Jaiden. He also serves on the boards of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and FringeArts.