Speaker
Jake B. Schrum
President Jake B. Schrum received a B.A. in psychology from Southwestern in 1968. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University in 1973. He was elected president of Southwestern University and took office on July 1, 2000.
A strong proponent of liberal arts education and a long-time national leader in the field of higher education, President Schrum will retire as the 14th president of his beloved alma mater as of June 30, 2013.
During his tenure at Southwestern, President Schrum led the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history. He helped secure an $8.5 million gift from the Priddy Charitable Trust that enabled Southwestern to add the faculty members necessary to implement its now-signature academic program known as Paideia. A total of 18 new faculty members were added during his tenure, and the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE) relocated to Southwestern.
In addition, several buildings were constructed and others renovated. The two most recent buildings added to Southwestern’s landscape received LEED certification. Sustainability has been a key focus of President Schrum’s tenure. He signed both the Talloires Declaration and the College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, as well as an agreement with the city of Georgetown that enables Southwestern to get all of its electricity from wind power for the next 18 years.
Four new varsity athletics teams were started or announced during his tenure – softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and football. And the number of students from underrepresented groups has increased from 21.8 percent to 30 percent during the past 13 years.
