Robert Weisbuch was appointed Drew's eleventh president in July 2005. A distinguished scholar of American literature, he brings to the university a deep commitment to teaching, research and public service, including a lifelong belief in the importance of outreach to underserved groups.
President Weisbuch's vision for Drew involves redefining what a liberal arts education means and applying learning to the public good. The university's decision to make the SAT optional for applicants to the College of Liberal Arts was inspired by his belief in a holistic approach to assessing the learning potential of each applicant. The creation of a new “Presidential Initiatives Fund” is indicative of his desire to support faculty research, develop and strengthen special academic programs, and enhance student life. These efforts are part of an ambitious agenda to build on the successes of the past and bring the university even greater distinction than it already enjoys.
Prior to coming to Drew, Dr. Weisbuch spent eight years as president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. During that time, the foundation was engaged in initiatives such as The Humanities at Work, The Responsive Ph.D., Teachers as Scholars, and High School Early College. In all, he emphasized the foundation's role in connecting higher education to the social sectors beyond academia and in connecting the levels of education to each other.
He joined the foundation after 25 years at the University of Michigan, where he served as chair of the Department of English, associate vice president for research, associate dean for faculty programs, and interim dean of the Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
Dr. Weisbuch is a graduate of Wesleyan University and holds a Ph.D. in English from Yale University. He received awards for both teaching and scholarship at Michigan , and is the author of books on Emily Dickinson and the stormy relations between British and American authors in the 19th century. The father of Max, Sarah and Michael, he and his wife, Candy Cooper, an award-winning journalist, reside in Montclair with their son, Gabe.
