Graham Spanier
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Graham B. Spanier is the 16th president of the Pennsylvania State University, succeeding Joab Thomas on September 1, 1995. During his administration, Penn State has seen a measurable expansion of the University, including the creation of the Schreyer Honors College, the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and the Penn State World Campus. He has served on national boards such as: the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, deputy chair of the Worldwide Universities Network, the Board of Directors of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (Internet2, founding member), and chair of the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land-Grant Universities. He has also held leadership roles in other organizations, such as: president of the National Council on Family Relations, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Christian Children's Fund, chair of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, and Board of Trustees of the National 4-H Council.
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[edit] Education
Spanier graduated from Highland Park High School (Highland Park, Illinois), and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State University, where he was honored with the Distinguished Achievement Citation. He earned his Ph.D.. in sociology from Northwestern University, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. During his time being a researcher, he contributed to the publication of ten books and over 100 scholarly journal articles. As a family sociologist, demographer, and marriage and family therapist, he was the founding editor of the Journal of Family Issues.
[edit] Early career
Spanier served as chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Oregon State University, and vice provost for undergraduate studies at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was a faculty member and administrator from 1973-1982 in Penn State's College of Health and Human Development. He and his wife, Sandra, have two children; Brian and Hadley, both have attended Penn State University.
[edit] Internet and Copyright Issues
Spanier has an expressed interest in internet technology: he was a founding member of the Internet2 board. In 1997, Spanier was recognized by Al Gore for his work on the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID).[1] More recently, Spanier has become an outspoken critic of unmonitored online file sharing, and testified before Congress in 2002 about the issue. He was the first University president to collaborate with music companies in an effort to halt illegal file sharing among students when Penn State signed a contract with Napster that provided all students access to Napster's music catalog. He currently serves as co-chair of the Committee on Higher Education and the Entertainment Industry.
[edit] Hobbies
In his free time, Spanier is a washboard player for the jazz bands Deacons of Dixieland and Phyrst Family.[1] Spanier serves as advisor for the Penn State Performing Magicians, and holds a Commercial Pilot certificate. Spanier is defending champion of the University intramural racquetball tournament with partner Fredina Ingold, a World and U.S. racquetball champion.[2] Spanier also hosts a National Public Radio show on WPSU-TV titled "To the Best of My Knowledge", where he hosts discussion of contemporary social issues.
[edit] Trivia
- Spanier's annual salary, currently set at $545,016, is determined by members of the University Board of Trustees. His compensation is ranked third among his peers at surveyed public universities nationwide. [2]
- Spanier is of the Jewish faith. [3] Every year, he gives a speech at the Penn State Hillel's Rosh Hashanah evening service.
- The local Ben & Jerry's shop offers a specialty coffee entitled "Graham's blend." Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the founders of the chain, took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from The Pennsylvania State University in 1978. [4]
[edit] References
- ^ Hainer, Anne. "Motivation provided by variety of local artists." The Daily Collegian, 23 Feb. 2004
- ^ Tricia Lafferty, Tricia. "Spanier, Ingold take IM racquetball title." The Daily Collegian, 31 March 2003
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Joab Thomas |
Pennsylvania State University President 1995–present |
Succeeded by current |
| The Pennsylvania State University, University Park | ||
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| Academics |
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences • Schreyer Honors College • Smeal College of Business |
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| Athletics |
Beaver Stadium • Bryce Jordan Center • Football • Governor's Victory Bell • Land Grant Trophy • Medlar Field at Lubrano Park • Penn State Golf Courses • Rec Hall |
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| Campus |
Hetzel Union Building • IST Building • Old Main • Pattee and Paterno Libraries • Penn State Creamery • Residence halls • University Park • Willard Building |
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| People |
George W. Atherton • James A. Beaver • Milton S. Eisenhower • Joe Paterno • Rene Portland • Graham Spanier • Fred Waring |
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| Student Life / Traditions |
Alma Mater • Blue Band • Fight On, State • Mount Nittany • Nittany Lion • Nittwits • Old Coaly • Penn State Dance Marathon • Phroth • State College • The Daily Collegian • The Lion 90.7FM • The Nittany Lion • WPSU-FM • WPSU-TV |
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| Big Ten Conference |
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| Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Michigan • Michigan State • Minnesota • Northwestern • Ohio State • Penn State • Purdue • Wisconsin |
