Ronald David Liebowitz (born April 26, 1957)[1] is an American geography scholar. He served as the 9th president of Brandeis University from 2016 to 2024 and as the 16th president of Middlebury College from 2004 to 2015.
With research fields in Russian economic and political geography, he began teaching at Middlebury in 1984.[2]
Liebowitz was Middlebury's third faculty member to become president, following McCardell and 19th century alumnus Ezra Brainerd. In his first year, he shaped the agreement that brought the Monterey Institute of International Studies under affiliation with Middlebury, and began a comprehensive strategic planning process. Liebowitz kicked off The Middlebury Initiative in October 2007; the largest capital campaign ever by a liberal arts college, the Initiative will raise $500 million to support the strategic plan's primary goals of financial aid and additional faculty.
In 2009 Time Magazine named him one of the 10 best college presidents.[3]
On December 12, 2013, Liebowitz announced that he would step down as president of the college effective June 30, 2015. He served at Middlebury College for over 11 years.[4]
Brandeis University
On December 17, 2015, Liebowitz announced that he would begin serving in a leadership role at Brandeis University effective July 1, 2016.
In March 2021, Liebowitz accused the Board of Trustees of "trying to force him out of the presidency."[5] However, on April 9, 2021, the Board of Trustees announced a five-year contract extension on Liebowitz's presidency.[6]
In September 2024, Liebowitz resigned after the faculty passed a no-confidence vote against him. The non-binding resolution cited his handling of the budget crisis and student protests.
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