Robert Witt (academic administrator) explained

Robert Witt
Office:Chancellor of the University of Alabama System
Term Start:May 5, 2012
Term End:September 1, 2016
Predecessor:Malcolm Portera
Successor:Ray Hayes
Office1:President of the University of Alabama
Term Start1:2003
Term End1:2012
Predecessor1:J. Barry Mason
Successor1:Guy Bailey
Office2:President of the University of Texas, Arlington
Term Start2:1995
Term End2:2003
Predecessor2:Ryan C. Amacher
Successor2:Charles A. Sorber
Birth Date:16 September 1940
Party:Republican
Spouse:Sandy Witt

Robert E. Witt (born September 16, 1940)[1] is an American businessman, and academic administrator. He is the former Chancellor of the University of Alabama System, concurrently serving as the Chairman of the Council of Presidents of Alabama’s public colleges and universities.

Early life and education

Witt received his bachelor's degree in economics in 1962 from Bates College, his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. He is also a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He is an Episcopalian.[2]

Academic career

University of Texas at Austin

Witt joined the business school faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in 1968, and rose through the ranks as chair and associate dean. He was named the Zale Corporation Centennial Professor in Business in 1983. Two years later he was named to the Mortimer Centennial Professorship in Business and that year became acting dean of business. In 1985, he was named dean, a position he would hold for nine years.

University of Texas at Arlington

In 1995, Witt joined the University of Texas at Arlington as interim president. He was named permanent president in 1996. His accomplishments at UT-Arlington included:

University of Alabama

In 2003, Witt left the University of Texas at Arlington to become President of the University of Alabama. On May 5, 2012, Witt was appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Alabama System.

Honors

Witt was awarded an honorary degree from Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine on May 29, 2016.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Academic Vita of Dr. Robert E. Witt. The University of Alabama. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307224654/http://president.ua.edu/wittvita.html. 2012-03-07.
  2. Web site: Witt marries in private rite . Tuscaloosa News . 2007-09-19 . . 2024-08-06.
  3. Web site: Civil Rights leader Rep. John Lewis to deliver 2016 Commencement address, joining honorands Lisa Genova '92, Daniel Gilbert and Robert Witt '62. www.bates.edu. 2016-05-20.