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| David J. Skorton | |
 In September 2006, Skorton formally became Cornell's president |
|
| President of Cornell University | |
|---|---|
| Term | July 1, 2006 – present |
| Predecessor | Hunter R. Rawlings III |
| Born | November 22, 1949 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Profession | Medical Doctor, University President |
David J. Skorton (born November 22, 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American medical scholar and academic administrator. He is currently serving as the president of Cornell University.[1]
Contents |
Education
Skorton studied at UCLA before transferring to Northwestern University, where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1970 and an M.D. in 1974. He completed his medical residency and fellowship in cardiology at the University of California at Los Angeles.
University of Iowa
Skorton began his long relationship with the University of Iowa as an instructor in 1980. In 1981, he was named an assistant professor in internal medicine, and in 1982 he became an assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering. While at the University of Iowa, he also served as vice president for research and as interim vice president for external relations, and he ultimately served as the president of the university from 2002 to 2006.
Cornell
Skorton was named as the new president of Cornell University on Saturday, January 21, 2006 and is the second Cornell president to arrive directly from the presidency of the University of Iowa.[2] Skorton stayed on at Iowa for the duration of the 2006 spring semester and officially assumed the Cornell presidency on July 1, 2006.[1] His inauguration occurred on September 7, 2006. In celebration of the occasion, the Cornell Dairy unveiled a new flavor of ice cream, "Banana-Berry Skorton."[3]
Reception
Skorton's acceptance of the presidency of Cornell University was met with enthusiasm by the students of the university, with Doug Mitarotonda, a student member of the university's board of trustees, calling him "clearly the right person to lead Cornell."[4] Skorton's training as an accomplished cardiologist is balanced by his proficiency as a jazz musician and his warm, upbeat demeanor, leading to the observation that "leaders of his stature are in short supply…every university wants a Skorton."[5] His popularity has been cited as one factor in increased donations to the university.[5] Under Skorton's leadership, Cornell's capital campaign raised $2.5 billion in three years' time, despite a mounting global recession.[6]
Controversy
Skorton's opening speech at ECAASU 2008, an Asian American student conference, was criticized by some for perceived insensitivity. In his speech, he praised the successes of Asian immigrants at Cornell and stated, "My wife and I have come to form a love affair with Asia."[7][8] Some Asian American participants were offended by Skorton's remarks, arguing that the speech perpetuated stereotypes of exclusion that classify Asian Americans as foreigners, exoticised by Orientalism.
Present activities
In addition to his presidential responsibilities, Skorton maintains two academic appointments—he serves as a professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and as a professor in Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering on Cornell's Ithaca campus. Skorton chairs the Business-Higher Education Forum as well as the Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships.[1] He established a University Diversity Council at Cornell University in 2006 and presently serves as its co-chair.[9] He also writes monthly guest columns for the independent student newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun, as well as a bi-monthly column for the Cornell Alumni Magazine.[1]
According to Cornell University, Skorton's salary is $541,233 for 2006–07.[10]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d "Office of the President: About the President". Cornell University. http://www.cornell.edu/president/about.cfm. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ Hunter R. Rawlings III, former interim president and 10th president of Cornell, was also president of Iowa from 1988–1995.
- ^ Barnes, Chris (7 September 2006). "A ‘Berry’ Tasty Tradition: Ice Cream Named for Skorton". The Cornell Daily Sun. http://cornellsun.com/node/18137. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ "Students Optimistic About New President". The Cornell Daily Sun. 25 January 2006. http://cornellsun.com/node/17703. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ a b Frank, Robert (21 October 2007). "Invisible Handcuffs". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/books/review/Frank-t.html?scp=23&sq=David%20Skorton&st=cse. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ , http://www.campaign.cornell.edu/
- ^ http://theblaaag.blogspot.com/2008/02/aam-cornell-presidents-love-affair-with.html
- ^ http://www.angryasianman.com/2008/02/cornell-presidents-love-affair-with.html
- ^ "Cornell's Commitment to Diversity: University Diversity Council". Cornell University. http://www.cornell.edu/diversity/offices/council.cfm. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ "Cornell University". Charity Navigator. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3572. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
External links
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mary Sue Coleman William L. Boyd (interim) |
President of the University of Iowa 2002-2006 |
Succeeded by Gary Fethke (interim) Sally Mason |
| Preceded by Jeffrey S. Lehman Hunter R. Rawlings III (interim) |
President of Cornell University July 1, 2006–present |
Incumbent |
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