Yale News: Law School Leadership Change, Beyoncé-Inspired Course, $2.5B Endowment Deal, Library Tech Upgrade, New Global Affairs Center

Good afternoon, Yale community. It's Monday, August 4, 2025, and here's what's happening on campus. Today in New Haven, expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 85°F (29°C) this afternoon. Currently, it's 72°F (22°C) and sunny. Heather Gerken, who has served as Dean of Yale Law School since 2017, will step down in November to become the president of the Ford Foundation. During her tenure, Gerken led initiatives to increase accessibility, including eliminating tuition for low-income students. Yair Listokin, the Shibley Family Fund Professor of Law, has been appointed interim dean effective August 1, as the university begins the search for a permanent successor. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/yale-law-dean-departs-lead-ford-foundation-2025-07-01/?utm_source=openai), [law.yale.edu](https://law.yale.edu/yls-today/news?utm_source=openai)) Yale is set to offer a new course titled "Beyoncé Makes History: Black Radical Tradition, Culture, Theory & Politics Through Music," taught by Professor Daphne Brooks. The class will analyze Beyoncé's work from her 2013 self-titled album to her recent "Cowboy Carter" album, exploring themes within the Black radical intellectual tradition. This course is expected to be highly popular, though class size will be limited. Yale University is nearing completion of a significant transaction to sell up to $2.5 billion in private equity and venture capital assets from its endowment. The deal, referred to as "Project Gatsby," is expected to involve a discount of less than 10% and allows buyers to selectively purchase specific funds. Multiple firms, including Lexington Partners and HarbourVest Partners, have evaluated the portfolio. The Yale Library has launched the new Alma technology platform, providing a foundation for continuous innovation in library operations and services. Additionally, the library has published new AI-related guides to assist researchers in navigating the fast-changing AI landscape. Yale's Jackson School of Global Affairs has launched the Blue Center for Global Strategic Assessment. The center's research will address interrelated issues in national defense, diplomacy, intelligence, and international economic relations, supporting interdisciplinary teaching and research focused on generating actionable knowledge. That's all for today's update. Stay informed and engaged, Yale.