Larry R. Faulkner

Larry R. Faulkner is an American chemist and academic administrator renowned for his transformative leadership in higher education and scientific research. He served as the 27th president of the University of Texas at Austin, significantly expanding its academic programs and physical campus. His career also includes influential roles at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and national service on prestigious boards like the National Science Board.

Early life and education

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, he developed an early interest in science. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Southern Methodist University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He then moved to Austin, Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he completed his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry under the mentorship of distinguished professor Allen J. Bard. His doctoral research focused on electrochemical phenomena, laying the groundwork for his future scientific contributions.

Academic career

Faulkner began his academic career as a professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he established a highly regarded research program in electrochemistry and interfacial chemistry. His scholarly work earned him recognition from organizations like the American Chemical Society. He later assumed significant administrative roles at Illinois, including head of the Department of Chemistry and ultimately director of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, a premier interdisciplinary research center. During this period, he also served as editor for the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.

Presidency of the University of Texas at Austin

In 1998, he was selected by the University of Texas System Board of Regents to lead the flagship campus. His presidency, which lasted until 2006, was marked by ambitious initiatives to elevate the university's national stature. He launched the "Campaign for Texas," a major fundraising drive that secured billions for scholarships, faculty endowments, and new facilities. Key campus projects advanced under his tenure included the Blanton Museum of Art, the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, and expansions to the McCombs School of Business. He also strengthened ties with the Texas Legislature and championed programs to support student success and faculty research.

Later roles and service

After his presidency, he remained active in educational and corporate governance. He served as president of the Houston Endowment, one of the largest philanthropic foundations in Texas. He has held board positions with major corporations such as Sandia National Laboratories, ExxonMobil, and Temple-Inland. In the public sector, he was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation. He also chaired the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, tasked with improving math education in United States schools.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades for his scientific and leadership contributions. These include the Fellow of The Electrochemical Society and the American Institute of Chemists Chemical Pioneer Award. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His service has been recognized with honors like the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas at Austin and an honorary doctorate from Southern Methodist University.

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:American chemists Category:University of Texas at Austin faculty Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty Category:Presidents of the University of Texas at Austin