David W. Pershing Explained

David W. Pershing

Order:

15th

President of
University of Utah

Term Start:

March 1, 2012

Term End:

April 2, 2018

Predecessor:

Michael K. Young

Successor:

Ruth V. Watkins

Birth Date:

2 October 1948

Birth Place:

Anderson, Indiana

Profession:

University Administrator

Spouse:

Module:

Embed:	yes
Thesis Title:	Nitrogen oxide formation in pulverized coal flames
Thesis Url:	https://search.proquest.com/docview/302801828/
Thesis Year:	1976
Doctoral Advisor:	Jost Wendt

David W. Pershing is an American educator and former president of the University of Utah.^[1] ^[2] He received a bachelor's degree from Purdue University in 1970^[3] and a PhD from University of Arizona.^[4]

Career

Pershing joined the faculty of the University of Utah in 1977 as a professor of chemical engineering. He was named a Presidential Young Investigator by the National Science Foundation in 1984 and became dean of the College of Engineering in 1987. He was named a Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering in 1995. In 1998, university President Bernie Machen named Pershing as senior vice president for Academic Affairs. In March 2012, Pershing was named president of the University of Utah,^[5] ^[6] where he also holds an appointment as a distinguished professor of chemical engineering.^[7]

Mary Beckerle controversy

In April 2017, he was involved in the controversial firing of Mary Beckerle, CEO and director of the university's Huntsman Cancer Institute.^[8] Pershing soon reinstated Beckerle following protests from members of the university community and the Huntsman family. On 28 April, the university's senior vice president for Health Sciences, Vivian Lee, announced her resignation in the wake of the Beckerle incident. During a meeting of the university's Academic Senate on May 1, Pershing announced his own resignation, stating that it was in part "so that the person picking the new VP [of Health Sciences] is the new president."^[9] Pershing continued serving as president during the search for his successor. Ruth V. Watkins was selected, and succeeded Pershing on 2 April 2018, at which time he rejoined the faculty of engineering.

Notes and References

Web site: Benson. Lee. About Utah: Q and A with U. President David W. Pershing. https://web.archive.org/web/20161228144948/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669938/Q-and-A-with-U-of-U-President-David-W-Pershing.html. dead. December 28, 2016. Deseret News. 23 April 2017.
News: University of Utah. David W. Pershing named new President of the University of Utah. January 20, 2012. University of Utah Press Release. January 20, 2012. August 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150801232441/http://unews.utah.edu/news_releases/david-w-pershing-named-new-president-of-the-university-of-utah/. dead.
Web site: Purdue University. 1999 DEA. Purdue University College of Engineering. 23 April 2017.
Nitrogen oxide formation in pulverized coal flames . 1976 . . Ph.D. . Pershing . David Walter . . subscription . 3833122.
Web site: Maffly. Brian. David Pershing is new University of Utah president. sltrib.com. The Salt Lake Tribune. 21 January 2012.
Web site: Leonard. Wendy. 'Family man' David Pershing begins job as 15th president of the University of Utah. https://web.archive.org/web/20120313233948/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765558803/Family-man-David-Pershing-begins-job-as-15th-president-of-the-University-of-Utah.html. dead. March 13, 2012. Deseret News. Deseret News. 11 March 2012.
Web site: University of Utah Distinguished Professors. Academic-affairs.utah.edu. 16 July 2018.
Web site: Huntsman says University of Utah 'power grab' is behind firing of acclaimed researcher from cancer institute top post.
Web site: Stuckey. Alex. University of Utah president stepping down; successor will pick permanent Health Sciences V.P.. sltrib.com. The Salt Lake Tribune. 1 May 2017.