ITHACA, N.Y. - Hunter R. Rawlings III, a classics scholar who has served as president of the University of Iowa since 1988, was appointed Cornell University's 10th president by the Board of Trustees at a special meeting held on campus today (Saturday, Dec. 10). He will assume the post July 1, 1995.
He succeeds Frank H.T. Rhodes, currently the longest-serving president of an Ivy League institution, who has been president of Cornell since 1977. On March 17 of this year, Rhodes announced his intention to retire on June 30, 1995. Rawlings, who will turn 50 on Dec. 14, was also appointed professor of classics with indefinite tenure in the Department of Classics.
"The Search Committee enthusiastically and unanimously recommended President Rawlings' nomination to the Board of Trustees," said Paul R. Tregurtha, Cornell trustee and chair of the search committee.
"Hunter Rawlings has had an extraordinary record of achievement at the University of Iowa and the University of Colorado at Boulder: 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 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," Tregurtha added.
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 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.
"I want to emphasize that I have enormous affection and respect for the University of Iowa, one of this country's academic gems," he continued. "It has been, and continues to be, a real pleasure for me to serve as its President."
President Rhodes added his warm welcome, saying in a separately issued statement: "The appointment of Hunter Rawlings is great news for all Cornellians.... He is the perfect match for Cornell. The university will be in good and caring hands."
Rawlings, who was born in Norfolk, Va., 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, Boulder. He joined UC-Boulder in 1975 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 is a member of the board of directors of the American Council on Education. He 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 and the National Army Advisory Panel on ROTC Affairs.
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 chairs the Council of Ten, presidents and chancellors of the Big Ten Conference, and has been a member of the Presidents' Commission of the NCAA since 1993.
The University of Colorado Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Rawlings in 1979.
He is a member of the Archaeological Institute of America and the American Philological Association.
Rawlings is married to Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings. The couple has four children ranging in age from 27 to 19.