Ronald David Liebowitz | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) | |
| 9th President of Brandeis University | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Frederick M. Lawrence |
| 16th President of Middlebury College | |
| In office July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | John McCardell, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Laurie L. Patton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 26, 1957 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Residence(s) | Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Bucknell University Columbia University |
| Profession | professor and College Administrator |
Ronald D. Liebowitz (born April 26, 1957)[1] is the ninth President of Brandeis University succeeding Frederick M. Lawrence. Formerly Middlebury College's 16th President, and a professor of geography, succeeding John McCardell, Jr. on July 1, 2004.[2] On December 17, 2015, it was announced that Liebowitz would become the ninth president of Brandeis University.
Liebowitz had previously served as provost and Dean of the Faculty at Middlebury College. An expert in Russian economic and political geography, he began teaching at Middlebury in 1984.[3] His first Middlebury experience was as a Language School student in 1980 and 1981.
A native of Brooklyn, Liebowitz received his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University in 1979 and completed his postgraduate work at Columbia University. He received his Ph.D. in geography in 1985. Liebowitz and his wife, Jessica, have three children.
Presidency
Liebowitz was Middlebury's third faculty member to become president, following McCardell and 19th century alumnus Ezra Brainerd. In his first year, he shaped the agreement that brought the Monterey Institute of International Studies under affiliation with Middlebury, and began a comprehensive strategic planning process. Liebowitz kicked off The Middlebury Initiative in October 2007; the largest capital campaign ever by a liberal arts college, the Initiative will raise $500 million to support the strategic plan's primary goals of financial aid and additional faculty.
In 2009 Time Magazine named him one of the 10 best college presidents.[4]
On December 12, 2013, Liebowitz announced that he would step down as president of the college effective June 30, 2015. He served at Middlebury College for over 11 years.[5]
On December 17, 2015, Liebowitz announced that he would begin serving in a leadership role at Brandeis University effective July 1, 2016.
In March 2021, Liebowitz accused the Board of Trustees of "trying to force him out of the presidency."[6] However, on April 9, 2021, the Board of Trustees announced a five-year contract extension on Liebowitz's presidency.[7]
References
- ↑ date & year of birth according to LCNAF CIP data
- ↑ Ronald D. Liebowitz becomes Middlebury's 16th president
- ↑ President's Biography
- ↑ "The 10 Best College Presidents - TIME". Time. 11 November 2009.
- ↑ "Sun Community News | Sun Community News".
- ↑ Krantz, Laura (15 March 2021). "Brandeis president in spat with trustees". Boston Globe. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ↑ "Board of Trustees reaffirms support for Ronald D. Liebowitz; agrees on five-year contract extension".