Richard L. McCormick Appointed Interim President of Stony Brook University

Richard L. McCormick

Richard L. McCormick has been appointed interim president of Stony Brook University, effective August 1. McCormick was appointed by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees during a public session on July 16.

McCormick succeeds Maurie McInnis, Stony Brook's sixth president, who became president of Yale University on July 1. McCormick previously served as president of Rutgers University and the University of Washington, and as provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He brings over four decades of experience in higher education, most recently serving as president emeritus and Board of Governors Professor of History and Education at Rutgers.

McCormick will oversee Stony Brook University, SUNY's flagship university as designated by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as Stony Brook Medicine, Long Island's academic medical center. He will also serve as part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory.

"Stony Brook University is a phenomenal institution that provides a world-class higher education and is well respected for its academic excellence, renowned research capabilities, and robust support and resources for our students' success," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "Each step we take in this leadership transition is important, and we welcome Dr. McCormick. His vast higher education experience will continue to move this esteemed university forward as the campus conducts a national search for its new president."

McCormick served as president of Rutgers University from 2002-2012, and president of the University of Washington from 1994-2002. He was vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1992-1995. McCormick was a member of Rutgers University History faculty from 1976-1992, including three years as the dean of Faculty Arts and Sciences. Beginning in 1985, he held a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship as well as a Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fellowship.

McCormick has authored numerous books and articles in the field of American political history, beginning with his first book on New York State politics in the Progressive era. He is currently writing a book on the history of American political corruption from the 17^th century to the present. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College in American studies and a PhD in history from Yale University.

"Dr. McCormick's notable accomplishments as president of Rutgers from 2002 until 2012 included reinvigorating undergraduate education, elevating its standing in the top tier of public research universities, realizing a longstanding goal of returning medical education to the university's portfolio, and improving and strengthening connections with important partners, including alumni and local communities," said William Wertheim, officer-in-charge, Stony Brook University and executive vice president, Stony Brook Medicine, in a message to the Stony Brook community announcing the appointment. "He is the ideal leader to help Stony Brook sustain its momentum as New York's flagship university."

The national search for Stony Brook's next leader will begin this summer. As an interim president, McCormick will not be a candidate to be Stony Brook's next permanent president.

"Stony Brook University is a world-class institution, moving on an upward trajectory, educating the next generation of leaders and thinkers, and bettering our society through research and economic development," said Stony Brook Council Chairman Kevin S. Law. "I am pleased to welcome Dr. McCormick, whose accomplishments and vision in higher-education leadership are nothing short of extraordinary, as our interim president, and to begin the search for our next permanent president."

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