Gov. Ridge Announces Resignation of Education Secretary Hickok, Who Will Join Bush Administration

Gov. Tom Ridge has announced that state Education Secretary Eugene W. Hickok will end his tenure as Pennsylvania’s longest-serving Education Secretary, to join the Bush Administration as Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., effective March 31, 2001.

Gov. Ridge said he expects to announce his nominee to replace Secretary Hickok prior to Hickok’s March 31 departure. That nominee will serve as Acting Secretary pending his or her Senate confirmation.

According to Gov. Ridge, “Gene’s hard work will benefit Pennsylvania’s children and their families for generations to come. Although I’m sad to see him go, Pennsylvania’s loss is America’s gain. Now, the nation’s children will benefit from his commitment and determination. President Bush and Secretary Paige have chosen the best! On behalf of all Pennsylvanians, I thank Gene for his incredible legacy to our children, and I wish him well.”

During Secretary Hickok’s tenure, the Ridge Administration has made historic investments in education. In 2000-01, Secretary Hickok managed an $8.3 billion budget – 42 percent of the state’s entire budget – with funds earmarked for K-12 public schools, colleges and universities and libraries. Secretary Hickok also worked with Gov. Ridge to pass and implement the Governor’s most dramatic education initiative – the Education Empowerment Act. This law targets Pennsylvania’s lowest performing schools, giving them powerful new management tools, and grants targeted to make needed improvements.

Prior to serving as Secretary of Education, Hickok was a professor of political science at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Cumberland County, where he directed the Clarke Center for Interdisciplinary Study of Contemporary Issues. He lives in Carlisle with his wife, Katharine. They have two children.