Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Welcomes New Vice President
The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) welcomes Tom George, Chancellor of the University of Missouri – St. Louis and former CUMU member-at-large, as the organization’s newest Vice President/Treasurer.
Dr. George became chancellor at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) in 2003 after serving as the dean of natural sciences and mathematics at SUNY – Buffalo and then provost at Washington State University. In addition to his role as chancellor, Dr. George is a professor of chemistry and physics at UMSL. Chancellor George is active in the St. Louis community. He has received the Distinguished Higher Education Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Missouri State Celebration Commission, the Outstanding Community Service Award from the St. Louis County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Lifelong Vision Award from the Lifelong Vision Foundation of St. Louis; and he has been named St. Louis North County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.
“Metropolitan regions have diverse populations and economies that require creative – and often unique – responses from higher education institutions. I’ve found that CUMU is one of the world’s best resources for higher education leaders to exchange information about their successes and challenges. I’m delighted that I am going to be playing a larger role in helping CUMU continue to excel at its mission of building better communities through education, research and service,” says Dr. George.
The previous CUMU Vice President and current President of Wagner College, Dr. Richard Guarasci, took over the role as Coalition President in July following the resignation of Dr. Wendell Pritchett who returned to University of Pennsylvania Law School as a professor of law. Dr. Guarasci says, “Tom has played a huge role in increasing our organization’s membership and helping to explain our value. I am looking forward to continuing to work with him to move this organization forward.”
Dr. George has served as a member of the Executive Board since 2012. UMSL first joined the Coalition in 1993.