Robert Witt (academic administrator)

Robert Witt
Chancellor of the University of Alabama System
In office May 5, 2012 – September 1, 2016
Preceded by	Malcolm Portera
Succeeded by	Ray Hayes
President of the University of Alabama
In office 2003–2012
Preceded by	J. Barry Mason
Succeeded by	Guy Bailey
President of the University of Texas, Arlington
In office 1995 – 2003 Acting: 1995–1996
Preceded by	Ryan C. Amacher
Succeeded by	Charles A. Sorber
Personal details
Born	(1940-09-16) September 16, 1940 Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sandy Witt
Education	Bates College (BA) Dartmouth College (MBA) Pennsylvania State University (PhD)

Robert E. Witt (born September 16, 1940) is an American businessman, and academic administrator. He is the former Chancellor of the University of Alabama System, concurrently serving as the Chairman of the Council of Presidents of Alabama’s public colleges and universities.

Early life and education

Witt received his bachelor's degree in economics in 1962 from Bates College, his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. He is also a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He is an Episcopalian.

Academic career

University of Texas at Austin

Witt joined the business school faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in 1968, and rose through the ranks as chair and associate dean. He was named the Zale Corporation Centennial Professor in Business in 1983. Two years later he was named to the Mortimer Centennial Professorship in Business and that year became acting dean of business. In 1985, he was named dean, a position he would hold for nine years.

University of Texas at Arlington

In 1995, Witt joined the University of Texas at Arlington as interim president. He was named permanent president in 1996. His accomplishments at UT-Arlington included:

• Partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to establish the Arlington Technology Incubator
• Creating a nanotechnology research and teaching facility
• Establishing the University's first alliance of African-American ministers and community leaders.

University of Alabama

In 2003, Witt left the University of Texas at Arlington to become President of the University of Alabama. On May 5, 2012, Witt was appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Alabama System.

Honors

Witt was awarded an honorary degree from Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine on May 29, 2016.