David Sargent

Who is David Sargent?

David J. Sargent was the President of Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts from 1989 to 2010.

Sargent is a native of Newport, New Hampshire and graduated from the Suffolk University Law School magna cum laude in 1954, ranked number one and president of his class. He was admitted to the bar in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that same year.

He returned as an adjunct professor in 1956 and soon became a full professor. From 1972 to 1989, Sargent directed the Law School as dean. Sargent assumed the university presidency in 1989. The Sargent building which houses Suffolk University Law School is named after him.

In its November 17, 2008 compensation survey, The Chronicle of Higher Education listed Sargent as the highest paid college or university president in the United States. They mistakenly claimed that Sargent's compensation in 2006-2007 totaled $2.8 million, however, this was a one time check made to his retirement account. Sargent's compensation is roughly on par with most other college presidents, about $400,000 per year.

As evidenced on page 43 of Suffolk University’s 2009 IRS Form 990, ex- university president David J.