Sidney Ribeau
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (May 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
 |
Sections should be added to this article, to conform with Wikipedia's Manual of Style. Please discuss this issue on the talk page. This article has been tagged since May 2008. |
Dr. Sidney Ribeau Ph.D. is the outgoing President of Bowling Green State University (near Toledo, Ohio); Dr. Ribeau has been named the 16th President of Howard University in Washington, D.C., replacing H. Patrick Swygert.
Ribeau grew up in Detroit and graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1965. Ribeau received his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1971. He earned master's and doctoral degrees in interpersonal communication from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 1973 and 1979, respectively.
He began his teaching career in 1976 as a professor of communication studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Eight years later, after being honored as an outstanding teacher and student adviser, he became chair of the university's Pan African Studies Department. He held that position until 1987, when he was named dean of undergraduate studies at California State University, San Bernardino. Three years later, he became dean of the College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo campus. In 1992 he was named vice president for academic affairs at Cal Poly Pomona, a position he held until coming to Bowling Green in 1995.
President Ribeau and his wife, Paula Whetsel-Ribeau, are the parents of three children.
When Ribeau accepted the presidency of Bowling Green State University in 1995, he envisioned creating a premier learning community whose graduates are uniquely equipped to meet the world's challenges. In the decade since, Bowling Green's ninth president has led the University to adopt a values-centered mission-something rare at a public university-and provide an academic environment that develops culturally literate, technologically sophisticated, productive citizens prepared to lead and to inspire.
During his presidency a number of innovative, signature programs have been created, such as the newly implemented Scholarship of Engagement Initiative that encourages collaborative faculty involvement with private and public groups to identify and resolve relevant issues through scholarship. The President's Leadership Academy, begun in 1997, and BGeXperience: Vision and Values, started in 2003, are two others. The President's Leadership Academy enables select students from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds to enhance their leadership skills through mentoring and co-curricular programs during their academic careers. BGeXperience integrates values education, critical thinking, character development and civic involvement while helping students make the transition from high school to a university campus. Beginning this fall (2005), every incoming first-year freshman will take part in BGeXperience.
Ribeau has upgraded the University's communications and computing technology and encouraged collaboration with other institutions to increase operational and cost efficiencies. He has championed collaborative research and instructional programs as well. One example is the nationally recognized Center for Photochemical Sciences, which received a $2 million Wright Capital Project grant in 2003 from the state to create a laboratory that will work collaboratively with business, industry and nonprofit organizations to bring innovations in the photochemical sciences to the marketplace. Another is Partnerships for Community Action, a small grant program that underwrites programs initiated by faculty, student and community groups who come together to achieve a common educational goal or provide a special service to those in need.
In 2003, Ribeau was recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, which presented him with its President's Award for his "courage and leadership in guiding the Bowling Green State University campus community to develop a community focused on student learning and designed to educate the whole student by taking students' personal and intellectual growth into consideration."
Contributions to the BGSU have grown steadily during Ribeau's presidency. Over $74 million already had been donated to Building Dreams: The Centennial Campaign for Bowling Green State University when the fund-raising drive was launched in April (2005). The national campaign's goal is to raise $120 million in private support for scholarships, endowed chairs, capital improvements and academic program enhancements.
Ribeau serves on Ohio's Higher Education Funding Commission, is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and chair of the Inter-University Council of Presidents for 2005-06. A member of the Bowling Green and Toledo Chambers of Commerce, he also serves on the boards of United Way, the Greater Toledo Urban League, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), the Regional Growth Partnership,the Andersons Inc. in Maumee, Convergys Corp., and Worthington Industries.
