Cornell University appoints Hunter Rawlings, III as interim president

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University announced it has appointed former president Hunter Rawlings, III as its interim president, effective April 25.

Cornell’s 13th president, Elizabeth Garrett, died March 6 following a battle with colon cancer. Michael (Mike) Kotlikoff had been serving as acting president since Feb. 19, when Garrett underwent surgery.

The school will launch an international search for its 14th president “in the coming months,” according to a university news release.

Rawlings served as Cornell’s 10th president from 1995 to 2003.

His upcoming tenure marks the second time he has served as Cornell’s interim president. Rawlings previously assumed the role in 2005 and 2006 following the resignation of Jeffrey Lehman.

“Cornell University is indeed fortunate that Hunter has agreed to step forward once again to lead through a time of transition,” Cornell University Board of Trustees Chairman Robert S. Harrison said in the release. “The board’s unanimous vote is evidence of the respect for his leadership at Cornell and as one of the nation’s premier advocates for higher education.”

“It is an honor to once again be called to help lead this great institution,” Rawlings said in the Cornell release. “There is much momentum around [Beth Garrett]’s vision, and I will work with Mike, the leadership team, deans, faculty, students and staff across our campuses to continue building the university’s strengths around those priorities.”

Rawlings has served as president of the Washington, D.C.–based Association of American Universities since 2011 and last year had announced he would be stepping down this May, Cornell said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com