In a first in its 145-year history, St Stephen’s College has appointed a woman principal for the first time. Professor Susan Elias, a computer scientist and academic administrator will take charge from June 1. She succeeds Professor John Varghese. Unlike many of her predecessors at Stephen’s — an institution historically associated with humanities, theology, politics and the liberal arts — Elias comes from a markedly different academic tradition, with nearly three decades in engineering education, interdisciplinary research and university administration. Her appointment also signals the end of a years-long administrative standoff. Delhi University had repeatedly termed Varghese’s continuation after March 2021 “illegal” and “non-statutory”, arguing that it violated UGC regulations requiring a fresh selection process.…