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Matt Branam Elected as President of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
December 7, 2009
Matt Branam has been elected president of Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology by the college's Board of Trustees,
according to an announcement from William Fenoglio, chairman of the
Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees. The election took place during a
special board meeting in Indianapolis on December 4,
2009.
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| Matt Branam |
Rose-Hulman had recently announced its search for a new
President, and conducted a successful survey of the market,
identifying a number of impressive potential candidates. "Early in
that process, the Trustees became convinced that it was in the
institution's best interest to ask Matt Branam, who has been
serving in an interim capacity, to become our permanent president,"
Fenoglio said. " We appreciate the interest of a number of academic
leaders who responded to our initial search
solicitations."
With his election, Branam becomes the 14th president in
the 135-year history of the college.
"As the Board conducted its search for president, considering
several strong prospects, it became abundantly clear that the
Institute had the ideal candidate already serving in the
president's office," Fenoglio said. "President Branam's performance
as interim president has brought renewed direction and vigor to the
campus."
Fenoglio cited various strengths that Branam brings to the
position. "Matt is an excellent communicator with a keen
understanding of the academic mission of Rose-Hulman," Fenoglio
said. "He has a vision to build on Rose-Hulman's reputation as the
top undergraduate engineering, science and mathematics college in
the country."
"I've always known Rose-Hulman to be a very special place
with top faculty, staff and students," Branam said. "Rose-Hulman is
the number one college in its class in the country, and the family
atmosphere on campus makes it a great place to work and study. But
we do much more than teach math, science and engineering at
Rose-Hulman; we prepare our best and brightest young people to
address the challenges and opportunities our world will face
tomorrow. I am honored to be part of it, and thankful to the Board
of Trustees for their confidence and support."
"I am delighted to hear the news," said Arthur Western,
vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty. "President
Branam has exhibited that he has the vision and leadership
necessary for the campus. I look forward to continuing the progress
he has initiated during the first five months."
"The selection of Matt Branam as the next president of
Rose-Hulman will have a positive and significant impact upon our
institution and its future direction," said David Purdy, head of
the Department of Mechanical Engineering and member of the
Presidential Search Committee. "Matt understands our mission and
primary function as a premiere undergraduate institution in
engineering, math and science. During his first five months of
service as interim president he has pulled together the Rose-Hulman
community by communicating the need for transparency and open
communication amongst all constituencies."
Branam brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to
Rose-Hulman. His expertise in fundraising, board relations, public
relations, brand management, legal, labor, and financial affairs
brings Rose-Hulman a seasoned leader. He managed the American Red
Cross through a period of tremendous growth and change for its then
president, Elizabeth Dole, as its first ever chief operating
officer.
Branam's experience also includes a distinguished 24-year
career with UPS (formerly called United Parcel Service) where his
local job as a teenager evolved through numerous positions of
increased responsibility, including the position of vice president
of public affairs in Washington, D.C. A native of Terre Haute,
Ind., Branam has attended Indiana State University, Taylor
University and Georgetown University, and he graduated from
Rose-Hulman in 1979.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is the nation's
leading undergraduate engineering, mathematics and science college.
For 11 consecutive years, it has been ranked in the annual U.S.
News & World Report annual survey of higher education as the
number one college or university that offers the bachelor's or
master's degree as its top degree in engineering. Located in Terre
Haute, Ind., Rose-Hulman offers a rigorous, hands-on education that
stresses development of technical and interpersonal skills in an
environment characterized by close personal attention for every
student.