Kent Fuchs

Education

Fuchs received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Duke University in North Carolina in 1977, a Master of Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1982, a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois in 1984, and a Doctor of Philosophy in electrical and communications engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1985.

Career

Fuchs was a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department and the coordinated science laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, from 1985 to 1996. He was head of the school of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University from 1996 to 2002. While at Purdue he was appointed to the Michael J. and Katherine R. Birck distinguished professorship.

Cornell University

Fuchs was the Joseph Silbert dean of the Cornell University College of Engineering from 2002 to 2008.

In October 2008, Fuchs was appointed the 15th provost of Cornell University. In 2011, he led in the team and strategy that resulted in the winning proposal, in partnership with the Technion and New York City, to create a new graduate applied sciences campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City. The Cornell Tech campus reported to him as provost. In 2009, Fuchs launched Cornell's re-imagining initiative that resulted in enhanced efficiency in administrative services. As provost, Fuchs was also responsible for transforming Cornell's budget model. In 2010, he led the development of Cornell's Strategic Plan and the establishment of metrics for assessing Cornell's academic stature.

University of Florida

He served as the 12th president of the University of Florida from 2015 to 2023. As the president of the university, Fuchs barred three professors from testifying in a voting rights lawsuit against Florida governor Ron DeSantis over Senate Bill 90. After the university blocked its professors from providing testimony in court, the University of Florida's accreditor started an investigation into the university.

In January 2022, Fuchs announced that he would step down as president of the University of Florida, though he might stay at the university and return to the faculty. He was succeeded by Ben Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska. After Sasse resigned on July 31, 2024, Fuchs returned as interim president on August 1, 2024 through August 30, 2025.

Social engagement

On September 16, 2016, United States president Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Fuchs as a member of the National Science Board and the National Science Foundation. He was a member of the board's class of 2016–2022.

Personal life

Fuchs is married to Linda Moskeland Fuchs, who previously taught at The King's Academy in the city of West Palm Beach, Florida. They have four children, two daughters-in-law, a son-in-law and three grandchildren.

References

References

1. "W. Kent Fuchs".
2. "After Months of Search, Kent Fuchs Named as University Provost".
3. Blumenstyk, Goldie. (December 16, 2011). "Cornell U. Is Winner of Competition for NYC Science Campus, as Stanford Pulls Out". The Chronicle of Higher Education.
4. "Cornell Tech".
5. "Plans to improve operations, cut costs are moving ahead {{!}} Cornell Chronicle".
6. "Provost outlines university's new budget model {{!}} Cornell Chronicle".
7. "Cornell University: A Strategic Plan : Strategic Plan".
8. "Strategic Metrics".
9. (2021). "U. of Florida's Accreditor Will Investigate Denial of Professors' Voting-Rights Testimony".
10. "University of Florida bars faculty from testifying in voting rights lawsuit against DeSantis administration". Washington Post.
11. Wines, Michael. (2021-10-29). "Florida Bars State Professors From Testifying in Voting Rights Case". The New York Times.
12. "Kent Fuchs expected to serve as interim UF president after Sasse resignation".
13. "President Obama plans to appoint President Fuchs".
14. [https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/members/current_members/fuchs.jsp W. Kent Fuchs. Biography] National Science Board. Retrieved September 18, 2021
15. Florida, University of. "Office of the President - University of Florida".