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RICHARD EKMAN NAMED
PRESIDENT OF CIC

Washington, D.C.—The Board of Directors of the Council of Independent College (CIC) has named Richard Ekman, currently vice president for programs of the Atlantic Philanthropic Service Company, as CIC’s new president. Dr. Ekman, who will take office in mid-September 2000, succeeds Dr. Allen Splete, who is retiring after 14 years as CIC’s leader.

Dr. Ekman served from 1991 to 1999 as secretary of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, where, in addition to his overall administrative responsibilities, he focused especially on issues in higher education, technology, libraries, area studies, and faculty development. He earlier served as director of the division of education programs and of the division of research programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities. Among his accomplishments at NEH was the redesign of NEH’s education programs so that they addressed core institutional issues—such as the strengthening of introductory courses and revision of general education programs. His campus experience includes appointments as vice president and dean of Hiram College, where he was also a tenured member of the faculty in history, and as assistant to the provost of the University of Massachusetts at Boston. At Hiram, he led efforts to develop a series of dual-degree programs with private universities throughout the country that responded to students’ growing interest in combining the benefits of an undergraduate liberal arts education with advanced professional preparation in selected fields.

The chair of CIC’s board, Lesley College President Margaret McKenna, said, “Richard Ekman is nationally recognized for his bold initiatives and excellent judgment in the worlds of both philanthropy and higher education. He is a man of vision who has also demonstrated throughout his career that he has the skills to achieve practical and lasting results. In short, he is a strong leader and the right leader for CIC today.”

Dr. Ekman has spoken publicly and written extensively—in such journals as Change and Liberal Education—on the uses of technology in research and teaching, curriculum reform in the humanities, the future of foreign language and area studies, the moral dimensions of academic administration, collaboration between colleges and public school systems, and the future of libraries and scholarly publishing. He currently serves on the boards of the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, Stanford University Press, and the Pew Learning and Technology Program, and has previously been a member of the boards of the American Association for Higher Education and the Society for Values in Higher Education, among other organizations. He has testified in Washington on government support of the arts and humanities and on the expectations of public/private cooperation in support of culture. Prior to being named president of CIC, Dr. Ekman had just been appointed chairman of the Advisory Panel of the Consortium for the Advancement of Private Higher Education, an operating unit of CIC.

Dr. Ekman received his Ph.D. in 1972 in the history of American civilization and his A.B. degree in 1966 from Harvard University. In 1995, he was awarded an honorary L.H.D. degree by Ursinus College and, in 2000, he received the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal from Harvard University.

In accepting the appointment, Dr. Ekman said, “Although the challenges that face independent institutions of higher education are formidable, the reasons for all Americans to try to sustain a vibrant independent sector in higher education have never been more compelling. Through high quality education offered to students in cost-effective ways, the country’s independent colleges and universities are important resources for our future. I’m honored to follow Allen Splete in his presidency of CIC, which has been exemplary in its service to colleges and their leaders.”

“There is great diversity within CIC, and that is one of its strengths,” Ekman continued. “At the same time, CIC institutions share commonalities with one another—and with many other colleges and universities—in their emphasis on improved teaching and learning, and their focus on helping students succeed in college and beyond. Moreover, their presidents are among the most dynamic and imaginative leaders in higher education today. I look forward to working with these leaders and their institutions as we build on CIC’s traditional strengths to create an even more successful future.”

Upon hearing of Ekman’s appointment, a number of leaders from education and philanthropy also offered comment:

Richard Detweiler, president of Hartwick College, said, “Rich Ekman has a deep passion for the missions of the private liberal arts colleges that CIC represents. He understands that CIC colleges are innovative leaders, committed as much to the values that underlie liberal arts education as we are to finding new ways to address the issues we face. I am proud to have him join the CIC team because of his exceptional experience with premier institutions and foundations. Moreover, he recognizes the stature achieved by CIC during Allen Splete's presidency, and has not only the commitment but the talents and insights to take us to the next horizon.”

Peter Stanley, president of Pomona College, said, “Richard Ekman’s leadership of CIC is good news for independent colleges and for higher education as a whole. As a historian, a dean, a funder, and a participant in the creation and governance of numerous institutions, Ekman has devoted himself to sustaining the intellectual integrity and the ethical purposes at the heart of our work. He has a keen sense of programming and a wonderful capacity to bring the best out of those around him.”

Neil L. Rudenstine, president of Harvard University, said, “I have known Richard Ekman for many years. He is an exceptionally talented and experienced person, and he seems to me to be a perfect choice for the Council of Independent Colleges.”

Catherine Dunn, BVM, president of Clarke College, said, “We’re delighted beyond words to have Richard as CIC’s new president. He’s a man of high integrity with distinguished experience in philanthropy and an informed, broad perspective on higher education. Over the coming months he’ll work with the CIC board to set some strategic directions for our association, a process that will involve and engage all member presidents of CIC. We believe he is a marvelous fit for CIC, and we look forward to his contributions to our work.”

Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, said “I have known Richard Ekman for more than 20 years as a provost, government official, and foundation executive. He is the ideal choice to lead CIC. Everything he does, he does exceedingly well. CIC is fortunate to have him on board.”

William G. Bowen, president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, said, “Richard Ekman has an unparalleled understanding of the range of institutions that make up American higher education. His ability to identify critical areas of need for colleges and universities and to devise programs that address those needs intelligently and effectively will insure that his leadership of the CIC will be vigorous and influential.”

Richard Kimball, president of The Teagle Foundation, said, “As a fellow philanthropoid, I am delighted with Richard Ekman’s election as president of CIC. He has a broad understanding of American higher education and the important role within it of small private colleges. Best of all, he sees their challenges from many perspectives. That’s going to help CIC and its member institutions in ways we haven’t yet imagined.”

Dorothy Gulbenkian Blaney, president of Cedar Crest College, said, “I think the appointment is fabulous. We’ve arrived at a point in CIC’s history where across the country communities see the value of the small liberal arts college. Richard Ekman will not only build on that visibility, but he will extend it in new ways to new communities. He will be a powerful advocate in many circles to help us advance our cause.”

At Atlantic Philanthropic Service Company, Chairman Harvey P. Dale said, “I have worked closely with Richard Ekman for years, and have always found his focus to be superb, his follow-through to be infallible, and his insights to be trenchant. His talents and experience make him an ideal leader for the CIC. I congratulate both Richard and the CIC on the decision to appoint him as president.” APS President Joel L. Fleishman added, “Rich instinctively knows how to frame and solve problems….His judgment, energy and dedication will be sorely missed at APS.”

Offering strong support for his successor, Allen Splete said, “Rich Ekman has a real passion for independent, liberal arts colleges and their value to society. His skills and talents will build on CIC’s strong tradition of service and the new levels of national visibility it has attained.”

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of more than 500 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations. These institutions work together to support college leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance private higher education's contributions to society. To fulfill its mission, CIC provides ideas, resources, and services to assist institutions in improving leadership expertise, educational programs, administrative and financial performance, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.

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