Vanderbilt University has seen only seven chancellors in its 134 years, and Chancellor Gordon Gee’s departure has undoubtedly surprised the administration, student body and the entire collegiate community.

Although resignations of heads of governmental and private institutions are frequent, such an act by a Vanderbilt chancellor is unprecedented. According to Paul Conkin, a retired Vanderbilt history professor, and Bill Carey, Vanderbilt alum and author of “Chancellors, Commodores & Coeds: A History of Vanderbilt,” Gee belongs to a group of men who have had tenures as chancellor of Vanderbilt of an average span of 21 years.

With James Kirkland topping the list with his 44-year chancellorship (1893-1937), it is expected that chancellors remain in the job until retirement. As Carey remarked, “It surely is a retirement job.”

Gee’s seven-year tenure at Vanderbilt is only a year longer than the shortest

In addition to Gee’s sudden resignation being historically unconventional, the manner in which his departure was announced is equally shocking.

“Usually resignations are submitted six months prior to the date of leaving,” Conkin said. “But in this case there was no warning, no sign.”

Carey said, “I was very surprised. I didn’t expect it.”

Another noteworthy aspect of Gee’s departure is his return to Ohio State University, an institution he left in 1997 for the presidency at Brown University.

These observations have prompted speculation about his reasons for leaving: disagreement with the Board of Trust, criticism for his extravagant personal expenditures or allegations proposed by the Wall Street Journal in 2006.

Even Gee’s installment as Vanderbilt’s chancellor was highly controversial. After a short tenure at Brown, Gee was highly criticized for quickly accepting the position at Vanderbilt.

Additionally, the abrupt appointment was the product of a decision made by Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust without consultation of the faculty. According to Conkin, the faculty had always been involved in the process of choosing the chancellor but was excluded during Gee’s appointment.

However, analysis of the past can only provide comparison for the future. Will history repeat itself?

NashvillePost.com reported that the next person Vanderbilt chooses for the chancellorship “will pull down a seven-figure compensation package,” probably close to Gee’s reported $1.25 million. This figure, however, does not suggest the selection of a “politician chancellor,” according to Conkin.

Carey sees Gee’s seven years at Vanderbilt as the end of lengthy chancellorships. Perhaps Vanderbilt will consider following the paradigm of its counterparts of high turnover rates of its leaders.