|
|
Richard and Susan Herman arrived at the University in 1998 when Professor Herman took up his role as Provost. Early on they became involved with the arts as strong supporters of the Krannert Center and with Susan’s early community work leading to the creation of the Arts Council “40 North” and the Woman’s Resource Center. Richard Herman holds a Ph.D in Mathematics from the University of Maryland He was Provost and then Chancellor of the University from 1998-2009 and also was Professor of Educational Policy and Organizational Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before his retirement in 2015.
Under his leadership the University completed a $1.5 billion campaign and grew in international stature with, the securing of a $14.5 million gift for a Center for Latin American Studies, a research institute opening up in Singapore and a notable increase in the number of international students studying at the University.
During his tenure the overall student population increased as did the minority presence on campus. He helped to create an adjacent Research Park and secure a $500 million partnership with UC Berkeley and British Petroleum. Principle projects of lasting note include the creation of the Institute for Genomic Biology and creation of the Illinois Promise Program with the latter being designed to ensure that those in poverty do not need to secure educational loans. Starting with roughly 100 students that program, as of 2018, has 1100 students in it with very high graduation rates. That program was in the vanguard and has been copied across the country. Professor Herman is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and served, under President Bush, on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
During his time as University leader Jewish life on campus grew with the introduction and growth of Chabad under the enlightened leadership of Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel and his wife Goldie. During this time, work with Chabad led to creation of a Kosher meal program at the University and the restoration of study abroad in Israel. Herman secured the first chaired professorship in Jewish Studies, worked with the Jewish Federation (where he is now Senior Counsellor) to create a visiting program of Israeli writers and a position in Israeli Studies. He is the proud recipient of a leadership award from Chabad and continues to serve on its Board.
To support the Scholarship fund click here.
|
||||
|
