Norman Samuels appointed acting president; BOG suspends presidential search Archived article from Oct 7, 2002   Dr. Norman Samuels Photo by Arthur Paxton Rutgers Board of Governors announced Oct. 3 that it is suspending the search for a new university president to examine the implications created by the impending report of the Commission on Health Science, Education and Training on the state's system of higher education. The board also announced the appointment of Norman Samuels, former provost of the university's Newark campus, as acting president, effective Oct. 7. "The board appreciates Governor McGreevey's commitment to higher education and welcomes the opportunity to participate in a thorough review of the future and structure of higher education in New Jersey," said Gene O'Hara, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors. "The board has decided to suspend the search until we have a chance to carefully analyze the report and understand its impact." "We're pleased that Norm Samuels, a highly respected leader, has agreed to serve as acting president during this period," O'Hara added. "His deep knowledge of the university and of the state will help guide Rutgers during the coming months." Samuels will succeed Francis L. Lawrence, who announced his intention to return to the faculty last February. "The board appreciates the many years of service and dedication that Fran Lawrence gave to Rutgers as president," O'Hara said. "However, we understand his desire to move ahead with his personal plans. We have therefore decided that it would be in the best interests of the institution to appoint an acting president." The Presidential Search Committee reviewed more than 200 nominations and applications and spent the final two months of its activities interviewing candidates to select its slate of finalists. "The search committee did an outstanding job, and we are indebted to the members for their service," O'Hara said. "I extend my heartfelt thanks to each committee member for a job well done. I particularly wish to thank Dean John Colaizzi, who did an absolutely stellar job guiding the committee." Norman Samuels, a leader in higher education in the state for 30 years, stepped down as provost of the Newark campus in June. In his two decades as provost, Samuels oversaw the development of Rutgers–Newark into a major national research university center with extensive undergraduate, graduate, professional and outreach programs. He directed major advancements in the development of doctoral and other graduate programs; in research facilities and research grants; in buildings, grounds and infrastructure of the 35-acre campus; and in joint programs with University Heights neighbors, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). As a key player in the resurgence of Newark, the state's largest city, Samuels collaborated with the presidents of NJIT, UMDNJ and Essex County College to develop the city as a leading center of higher education. Newark now ranks as the sixth-largest complex for higher education in the nation, with a student population close to 40,000. With the leaders of NJIT and UMDNJ, Samuels promoted the development of University Heights Science Park. Samuels, a Montreal, Que., native, received his B.A. from McGill University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University. He has been active for decades with numerous civic and community organizations, including service on the boards of the Regional Business Partnership, the New Newark Foundation, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, the United Jewish Federation of Metropolitan New Jersey and others.

For questions or comments about this site, contact Greg Trevor Last Updated: May 30, 2006 © 2012 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved.