An Indian to become UB's 15th president

Updated on: Wednesday, March 23, 2011

University at Buffalo Provost Satish K Tripathi is recommended by chancellor Nancy L Zimpher of the State University of New York as the next president of the university. It would make Dr Tripathi, UB’s 15th president — the first born outside the United States — and leader of the largest public university in the state during what's considered a critical time in its history.

Dr Satish K Tripathi was born in the village Patna (District Faizabad – now Ambedkar Nagar- UP) and is the first Indian American to head an AAU Research University. (AAU: American Association of Universities is the group of top sixty three research universities in North America).

Chancellor Zimpher has requested the SUNY Board of Trustees to convene a special meeting in April in Buffalo to formally consider Tripathi’s appointment for the post. She also named Tripathi as UB’s officer-in-charge, effective immediately, with all of the responsibilities and authority of a campus president.

Speaking at the occasion chancellor Zimpher said, “It is my great pleasure to recommend Dr Satish Tripathi as the next president of the University at Buffalo. Dr Tripathi’s international reputation as an accomplished researcher and transformative leader in higher education makes him ideally suited for this post. Public research universities like UB provide access to high quality, affordable education and engage in research that helps build vibrant communities at home and across the globe. Dr Tripathi will provide outstanding leadership for UB as it carries out this important mission.”

Speaking about his selection, Dr Tripathi said that he was honoured to be recommended by chancellor Zimpher to be UB’s next president. “It would be my distinct privilege to lead our remarkable university, which is recognized for its tradition of excellence and has an extraordinary future ahead.”

LC Singh, CEO Nihilent Technologies who has been associated with Dr Tripathi right from his Banaras Hindu University days where he graduated top of his class in 1968 and then while in TCS where Dr Tripathi has been advising for many years along with many other Indian organizations, including TCS, IIT- Gandhinagar, IIIT- Allahabad, IIIT – Delhi, Amrita University said “It is indeed a very proud moment for the country that a scholar like Dr Tripathi would become the first international-born president in UB’s history, a fitting distinction for one of the most international universities in the U.S.A humble man whose guidance has inspired many Indian organizations including Nihilent.”

The presidential search committee was chaired by Jeremy M. Jacobs who over the past seven months reviewed the credentials of 68 candidates, representing a diverse national and international pool from a wide range of academic disciplines and professional experiences. Jacobs, who has been involved in multiple presidential searches at UB, noted that this was the most competitive candidate pool he has seen.

Speaking about the selection, Jacobs said, “From this exceptional group, Dr Tripathi quickly emerged as a front runner in the search committee's review process. His impressive body of work as a scholar and academic leader, and his compelling vision for UB's future made him the council's unanimous recommendation to lead our university. On behalf of the UB Council and our outstanding search committee, we are pleased that Chancellor Zimpher is endorsing the appointment of Dr Tripathi as UB's 15th president. I am confident that he will carry forth and strengthen UB's legacy of excellence."

An Indian to become UB's 15th president

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