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ARNOLD SPEERT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 24 YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
— President Speert led institutional growth into a comprehensive university
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Arnold Speert, who guided William Paterson University’s development into a comprehensive university with an increasing breadth of academic programs and a modernized campus, has announced his retirement after 24 years as president.
Under President Speert’s leadership, the institution progressed from a college into a university, successfully completed its first major fundraising campaign and upgraded and expanded its facilities. He became the institution’s sixth president on September 1, 1985.
“When I reflect on my years as president, I think about all that has been accomplished through the collaboration of a dedicated Board of Trustees, creative and caring faculty, a skilled and focused staff, proud alumni and students who are eager to benefit from the excellence of William Paterson University,” says President Speert. “I am privileged and proud to have been a part of this great institution for almost 40 years.”
President Speert began discussions about his retirement plans with the Board of Trustees four years ago. “I am hopeful that the advance planning will lead to a smooth transition for the new president and for the University,” says President Speert.
A national search for a new president will begin immediately. President Speert plans to remain as president until a successor is appointed.
“In 24 years of service as president, Arnie Speert has created an institutional culture and offered a vision that has both motivated and empowered members of the University community to grow William Paterson from a teachers college to a comprehensive university,” says Vincent J. Mazzola, chair of the William Paterson University Board of Trustees. “More than the development of new academic programs, the expansion of the campus and the strong reciprocal relationship with our region, his leadership, civility and respect for the academic mission make each of us proud to be part of William Paterson University. As a board member, and now chair, I am indebted to Arnie for his work to build a Board of Trustees committed to the success and well being of the students and the institution. His near quarter century of service as president, and nearly 40 years as a member of our community, create a strong and stable foundation of success to build upon for William Paterson University’s next leader.”
In 1997, the institution completed its transformation from William Paterson College to William Paterson University when the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education accepted the college’s petition for University status based on the quality and breadth of its faculty and its strong academic, cultural and community service programs.
William Paterson’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, completed in 2006, exceeded its goal, raising more than $40.2 million for capital projects and academic programs. Highlights of the campaign included gifts from Christos Cotsakos and his wife Tami for development of the Financial Learning Center, additional programs at the College of Business and music scholarships; the Russ Berrie Foundation for development of the Russ Berrie Institute for Professional Sales; the John Victor Machuga Foundation in support of scholarships and student programs; David and Lorraine Cheng in support of library programs, and the David F. Bolger Foundation for development of the Nel Bolger, R.N., Nursing Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility that simulates actual clinical environments.
The institution grew significantly under President Speert with the development of new and expanded academic and student development programs. During his tenure, the University expanded from a campus of 250 acres to 370 acres. Highlights include the acquisition and refurbishing of the 1600 Valley Road Building, which houses the Cotsakos College of Business, the College of Education and the Center for Continuing Education. The state-of-the-art Financial Learning Center and the Russ Berrie Professional Sales Lab are also part of the Cotsakos College of Business in the Valley Road Building.
The evolution of the campus included the acquisition and development of the Power Art Building as a facility for the studio art program; the development of University Commons, which includes the John Victor Machuga Student Center, Wayne Hall dining facility and a new ballroom and conference center; construction of the Atrium, home of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; the expansion of the library, now known as the David and Lorraine Cheng Library, and construction of the Nel Bolger, R.N., Nursing Laboratory. A major project to renovate and expand the Science Building is in progress. The residence life program grew from 1,500 beds to close to 2,700 through the construction of the Hillside, Century, High Mountain East and High Mountain West residence halls and the renovation of White, Matelson and Overlook halls.
President Speert has been a member of the campus community since 1970 when he joined the University’s faculty as an assistant professor of chemistry. Later that same year, he was named assistant to the dean of graduate and research programs. He was appointed assistant to the vice president for academic affairs in 1971 and became associate dean for academic affairs in 1978. In 1979, he was appointed vice president for academic affairs. During this period, President Speert continued to progress through the faculty ranks and attained full professor status in 1980.
President Speert has been a leader in the higher education community and in a wide variety of community service activities. He has served as chair of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council and as a member of the Commission on Higher Education and the Board of Examiners for the New Jersey Department of Education. Previously, he served on the boards of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, The Ramapo Bank, Barnert Hospital, State Farm Indemnity Company, Better Business Bureau, Jewish Federation of North Jersey, YM-YWHA of Northern New Jersey, and the Respiratory Health Association.
A Phi Beta Kappa at The City College of The City University of New York, President Speert graduated cum laude with honors in chemistry. He earned a doctorate in chemistry from Princeton University where he was a National Institutes of Health Fellow.
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May 19 , 2009
www.wpunj.edu
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