WMU alumnus is new University of Minnesota president
Nov. 8, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Dr. Robert H. Bruininks, a graduate of Western Michigan University, will officially become the 15th president of the University of Minnesota today.
Minnesota's board of regents yesterday unanimously approved Bruininks as the sole finalist for the presidency. Unanimous support is again expected from the regents for today's final vote.
Bruininks was named interim president at the University of Minnesota on Aug. 1, after serving as executive vice president and provost for five years. He began his career at Minnesota in 1968 as an assistant professor of educational psychology, and served on the faculty for more than 30 years. He also held several administrative posts, including dean of the College of Education and Human Development.
A native of Bryon Township, Mich., Bruininks earned a bachelor's degree in special education in 1964 from WMU. He received master's and doctoral degrees in education in 1965 from what was then George Peabody College, now Vanderbilt University.
Bruininks is a longtime member of the WMU Alumni Association.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thomas.myers@wmich.edu