Robert Ivany
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Dr. Robert Ivany is the president of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Military Service
Ivany attended college at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy, he received a Ph.D. in History from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Serving as the commandant (president) of the War College capped Ivany’s 34-year career in the Army. During his various commands as an armored cavalry officer, he led soldiers in the United States, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Germany and Vietnam where he was wounded in action and decorated for valor.
When not assigned to troop units, he assisted several nations in the transformation of their armed forces, including stints in Hungary, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Ivany also served in several unique positions in America, including serving as the Army Aide to the President of the United States from 1984 to 1986.
Ivany also served as an assistant professor of history and as a football coach at the Military Academy at West Point. As the Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, he directed a diverse organization of 5500 civilian and military employees based on seven installations in three states and the District of Columbia.
Prior to his retirement from the Army with the rank of Major General, Bob had presided over one of the nation's most respected institutions for the education of strategic leaders: the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. There for three years, he instituted programs to develop the next generation of military and civilian leaders from the United States and 42 foreign countries to meet the challenges of cultural change, organizational transformation and a drastically altered national security environment.
[edit] Academia
After completing his Army service in October 2003, he joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Business, Columbia University as an adjunct professor in Executive Education. He worked with senior executives in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States in leader development, strategic planning and cultural change.
On July 1, 2004, Dr. Robert Ivany became the eighth president of the University of St. Thomas. He was formally installed into office in January 2005 at a reception which featured the presence of former United States President George Bush. He currently resides in Houston with his wife, Marianne, and his children.
Ivany has faced controversy at St. Thomas in terms of campus security, and a general mis-allocation of school funds.
For several years only two security guards patrolled the entire UST campus. Armed with only flashlights, and cell phones (to call the HPD officers). Only after several muggings and numerous complaints flooded the president's office, was any action taken. Presently, a Houston police officer is on duty along with UST security in the evenings.
Although it would be unfair not to state that Ivany has responsibilities to allocate funds in terms of certain monies set aside for school beatification projects, (in other words sometimes he doesn't have a choice where the money goes), because it was decided already. However as far as money he does have control over, Ivany appears to focus his time and energy on projects such as fields for sports teams -- although UST has an almost non existent sports program. He could in theory focus more attention trying to get money for other programs and facilities in desperate need of funds.
[edit] Leadership Development Initiative
Ivany has spoken on the topic of leadership development to varied audiences, including:
- Cleveland City Club
- 2002 Peter F. Drucker Conference for Nonprofit Management
- Union League of Philadelphia
- First Friday Club of Cleveland
- Atlanta Rotary
- Northeast Regional United Way Conference
- Quanex Corporation
- CenterPoint Energy
- Walt Disney Resorts
- Houston Junior Achievement
- Houston Partnership Board.
Bob has been interested in the leadership challenges facing military and civilian leaders for several years. His article "Soldiers and Legislators: A Common Mission" appeared in Parameters in 1990 and received the General Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence in Military Writing. He is presently conducting research on the leadership attributes of 20 generals and admirals who have transitioned to corporate leadership.
[edit] Memberships and Awards
Ivany belongs to the Leader to Leader Institute, the Army Football Club, and Mental Health Association. He has received the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom, the Humanitarian Medal from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Association, the Director's Award from the US Secret Service, the Admiral Thomas J. Hamilton Award for Leadership, and together with his spouse, the Aaron and Hur Award from the U.S. Army Chaplaincy. He was named a distinguished graduate of St Ignatius H.S., Cleveland, Ohio, and has earned numerous military awards.
