Chancellor Kirwan honored for leadership

Chancellor William E. Kirwan of the University System of Maryland has won the TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence, recognizing "leadership and commitment to higher education and contributions to the greater good."

Kirwan was presented the award Monday at the annual meeting of the American Council on Education in Phoenix.

"Chancellor Kirwan brings a collaborative and cooperative leadership style to higher education, welcoming all viewpoints," said Stephanie Bell-Rose, managing director and head of the TIAA-CREF Institute, in a statement. "This, coupled with his forward thinking, makes him one of the nation's most dynamic and effective higher education leaders and we are so pleased to honor him today."

The award, established in 1993, is named for Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, an esteemed educator and humanitarian.

"Father Hesburgh stands as the symbol of leadership of what a university president can and should do," said Kirwan, in a statement. "To have my name in any way associated with him is the greatest professional honor in my life."

Kirwan has served as chancellor of 11 Maryland public universities since 2002, following a term as president of the flagship University of Maryland.

The award recognizes the unusual depth of partnership between Kirwan and the state, which yielded an unprecedented four-year freeze on in-state tuition. This year's seniors have never seen a tuition increase. The freeze ends this year.

The partnership between Kirwan and the administration of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) has also produced unusually robust state funding and collaboration between two- and four-year colleges. Kirwan is also known for his Effectiveness and Efficiency Initiative, a system-wide mandate to cut costs that has emerged as a national model. Among other feats, Kirwan persuaded university faculty to take on a heavier teaching load without complaint.

The flagship campus, meanwhile, has steadily risen in prestige and selectivity over the past decade. The school's rank in U.S. News & World Report among public research universities has risen from 30th in 1998 to 18th this year. And research funding has more than doubled and exceeds $500 million annually.

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