Caltech taps Rosenbaum

Provost Thomas F. Rosenbaum has been named president of the California Institute of Technology, effective July 1, 2014. Rosenbaum, the John T. Wilson distinguished service professor in physics, the James Franck Institute, and the College, joined the faculty in 1983. He served as director of the Materials Research Laboratory and the Franck Institute, and as vice president for research and for Argonne National Laboratory before becoming provost in 2006.

Redoubled commitment

Gifts from two University trustees have helped the Law School continue to expand its need- and merit-based scholarships, which have almost tripled over the past four years. David M. Rubenstein, JD’73, cofounder and co-CEO of the private-equity firm the Carlyle Group, has made a second $10 million gift, extending a program that offers full-tuition scholarships. Debra Cafaro, JD’82, chair and CEO of Ventas Inc., has made a $4 million gift to establish full-tuition, need-based scholarships.

Levi’s legacy set in stone

The administration building has been named Edward H. Levi Hall, honoring the University’s former Law School dean, provost, and president. In 1968 Levi, U-High’28, PhB’32, JD’35, became the first alumnus president. He served until 1975, when he joined the Ford Administration as attorney general. The October 14 ceremony also celebrated the new open-air walkway through Edward H. Levi Hall, linking Ellis Avenue to the main quadrangles.

Colby goes Greene

On July 1, 2014, David A. Greene will begin his tenure as president of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Joining the University in 2006 as vice president for strategic initiatives, Greene became executive vice president in 2011, working across departments and units on financial strategy and data research, real estate development, campus master planning, external relations, federal relations, international initiatives, and the Laboratory Schools.

Crowns support school work

Chicago philanthropists James and Paula Crown have made a $10 million gift to support Urban Education Institute initiatives on student achievement, teaching, and school leadership. James Crown, a University trustee and past chair of the Board of Trustees, is president of Henry Crown and Company. The Crowns’ gift will advance research into education practice and policy, help Chicago Public Schools teachers achieve exemplary performance, design and distribute school improvement tools, create a model for pre-K through 12th grade college preparatory urban schooling, and support arts and education collaborations for public school students.

New chapter for Co-op’s Cella

Jack Cella retired in October after 43 years as general manager of the Seminary Co-op Bookstore. Cella, X’73, oversaw the opening of two branch locations—57th Street Books and the Newberry Library Bookstore—and last year’s move from the Co-op’s original location at 5757 South University Avenue to a larger space at McGiffert House, 5751 South Woodlawn Avenue. The firm Isaacson, Miller is conducting a national search, led by Nancy Maull, AM’69, SM’73, PhD’74, for Cella’s successor.

An intensive investment

A dozen family members of George A. Stephen, creator of the Weber Grill, have made a $10 million gift to Comer Children’s Hospital. In September the hospital unveiled the Margaret M. and George A. Stephen Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in recognition of the donation, which supports research into treatments for critically ill and premature newborns. The gift will also allow the hospital to recruit a neonatologist to become the Stephen Family professor of pediatrics.

A jump start for start-ups

In October the University announced the creation of the Chicago Innovation Exchange to help scholars and entrepreneurs bring start-up businesses and new technologies to market. Scheduled to open in late 2014 at 53rd Street and Harper Avenue, the exchange will be a hub for numerous University departments and affiliates, such as the Institute for Molecular Engineering, Chicago Booth, and the Marine Biological Laboratory. The space will accommodate five to ten new companies per year with support from a University fund of up to $20 million for investment in proof-of-concept and early business development efforts.

Leadership gift

University trustee Daniel L. Doctoroff, JD’84, and his wife, Alisa Doctoroff, MBA’83, have made a $5 million gift to the Law School to establish the Doctoroff Business Leadership Program. Combining law and business courses, the program will prepare law graduates to lead or advise companies. “Throughout my career in government, in business, as an investor and CEO, I’ve worked with hundreds of lawyers across dozens of fields,” said Dan Doctoroff, the CEO of Bloomberg LP and a former deputy mayor of New York City. “Time after time, I’ve seen the value of lawyers who have fundamental business and financial skills.”

Check in, check it out

On September 17 a new Hyatt Place opened near the corner of 53rd Street and Harper Avenue—Hyde Park’s first new hotel in almost 50 years. The 131-room, six-story hotel is part of the Harper Court development, which includes a new University office building, shops, and restaurants. Each Hyatt Place room includes at least three “stylized prints” based on photographs of art and architectural details on the University of Chicago campus.

Lab’s new leader

Robin Appleby, currently the executive principal of the Global Education Management Systems American Academies, has been named director of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, effective July 1, 2014. Appleby, who has led schools on three continents, will succeed the retiring David Magill, who has overseen a threefold increase in financial aid and a doubling of the endowment in 11 years as director.