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Edward M. Hundert

Hundert's official portrait

Edward M. Hundert was the president of Case Western Reserve University from Auguest 1, 2002 until September 1, 2006.

1 University Impact
2 Life before Case
3 Attitude towards
4 Vote of no confidence
5 In the news

[edit] University Impact

The president’s impact on the university is embodied in Case’s comprehensive new vision, the development of which he led. Driven by this vision, Case strives to redefine the role of the research university in the twenty-first century. Under President Hundert’s leadership, Case began implementing the vision through programs such as SAGES (Seminar Approach to General Education and Scholarship), a new model for liberal learning. The small, interdisciplinary seminars are directed by faculty across the institution and outside of it, including President Hundert, who led a seminar every spring.

On his inauguration day, President Hundert hosted, with Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, the national symposium Great Universities and Their Cities, seeking stronger partnerships between universities and their host cities. Since then, he has led Case in an array of partnership initiatives, including one that has dramatically increased the number of minority- and women-owned businesses serving as contractors to Case. In October 2004, the Race at Case was a city-wide effort surrounding Case’s hosting of the 2004 Vice Presidential Debate on campus.

President Hundert served as a leader in the shaping of the powerful academic medical center built on Case’s affiliations with all the hospital systems in Cleveland. He was behind the creation of a new unified alumni organization for the university. He also recruited Provost Anderson and numerous deans during his presidency.

[edit] Life before Case

Prior to Case, President Hundert was professor of psychiatry and medical humanities and dean of the school of medicine and dentistry at the University of Rochester, serving there from 1997 to 2002. His academic career earlier included service on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, where he held appointments in the departments of psychiatry and medical ethics from 1984 to 1997.

In 1978, President Hundert received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and the history of science and medicine from Yale University. He attended Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar, earning a master’s degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. Later he earned the M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He completed a psychiatric residency at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts.

He has written numerous articles and chapters on a variety of topics in psychiatry, philosophy, medical ethics, and medical education, as well as two books: Philosophy, Psychiatry and Neuroscience: Three Approaches to the Mind (Oxford University Press, 1989), and Lessons from an Optical Illusion: On Nature and Nurture, Knowledge, and Values (Harvard University Press, 1995).

[edit] Attitude towards

President Hundert was initially liked by many on campus. However, his approval lost favor as his presidency progressed, especially when the university encountered a severe budget deficit in 2005 and 2006.

It is widely speculated that Hundert contributed to an atmosphere of closed communication between administrators and major university parties, including faculty and students. This is supported by claims of the Faculty Senate that they were not informed of important budgetary matters which contributed to the 2006 budget deficit.

[edit] Vote of no confidence

On February 22, Lawrence Krauss, initiated the procedure to have a vote of no confidence brought forth against Hundert and John Anderson, the Provost. On March 2, 2006, the College of Arts and Sciences voted 131-44, affirming the no confidence motion. [1].

Straight from the real Wikipedia: The no-confidence vote was not binding, as only the board of trustees had the power to cancel Dr. Hundert's contract. However, Dr. Hundert submitted his resignation two weeks after the vote. Dr. Hundert received compensation for one remaining year left in his contract and his optional sabbatical after he tendered his resignation.