The Inauguration of Hunter R. Rawlings III as President of Cornell University
HUNTER R. RAWLINGS III
Hunter R. Rawlings III, a classics scholar, was appointed Cornell University's 10th president by the Board of Trustees on December 10, 1994. He took office on July 1, 1995, before the start of Cornell's 130th year.
Rawlings, 50, served as president of the University of Iowa from August 1988 through June 30, 1995. In his appointment at Cornell he also holds the faculty rank of professor of classics.
"Hunter Rawlings has had an extraordinary record of achievement at The University of Iowa and the University of Colorado. He knows what it takes to foster undergraduate education within the context of a major research university; he has given widely acclaimed leadership to the rapidly changing fields of health care and medical education; he is experienced in securing funding at both the national and state levels; and he brings a deep personal commitment to improving the lives of students beyond the classroom," said Paul R. Tregurtha, Cornell Trustee and chair of the Search Committee that selected Rawlings.
Board Chairman Stephen H. Weiss commented, "The Board of Trustees is delighted that Hunter Rawlings will lead Cornell into the next century, developing its strengths to a new level of excellence. The presidential search committee worked with every segment of the Cornell community to identify the characteristics we required for our next leader. Dr. Rawlings meets those criteria in every essential dimension. He is a person of immense character. We are equally pleased to welcome Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings to Cornell, and we know she will make a great contribution, not only to the campus, but to the surrounding community."
Rawlings said, "Cornell is one of a handful of universities with worldwide impact and influence. It offers a singular combination of the highest academic quality and full commitment to public service. As such, Cornell University represents an extraordinary opportunity for leadership, and I am honored to be asked to assume its presidency."
Rawlings, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1970, and is a 1966 graduate of Haverford College, with honors in classics.
Before going to The University of Iowa in 1988, as president and professor of classics, Rawlings served for four years as vice president for academic affairs and research and dean of the system graduate school of the University of Colorado. He joined CU-Boulder in 1970, as assistant professor of classics. He became department chair in 1978, and was named full professor in 1980. He served as associate vice chancellor for instruction from 1980 to 1984.
Rawlings' scholarly publications include a book, The Structure of Thucydides' History (Princeton University Press, 1981). He is also the author of scholarly monographs and articles, and has served as editor of The Classical Journal..
At Princeton, Rawlings was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and National Defense Education Act Fellow.
Rawlings was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1995. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education, and has served on the Executive Committee of the Association of American Universities and as a member of the National Committee for the Selection of Mellon Fellows in the Humanities.
He chaired the Governor's Commission on Foreign Language Studies and International Education for the State of Iowa from 1988 to 1991, and was a member of Iowa's Economic Development Board.
Rawlings also chaired the Council of Ten, presidents and chancellors of the Big Ten Conference, and was a member of the Presidents' Commission of the NCAA from 1993 to 1995.
The University of Colorado Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Rawlings in 1979.
Rawlings is married to Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings. The couple has four children ranging in age from 19 to 28.