Board of Trustees Confers University Professor Rank to Dr. Gregory L. Eastwood

Albany -- The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed Dr. Gregory L. Eastwood University Professor, effective immediately and retroactive to July 1, 2007. Dr. Eastwood, who served as president of SUNY Upstate Medical University from 1993 to 2006, will return to the faculty at the campus and continue his teaching and scholarship in the Center for Bioethics and Humanities in September.

“By bestowing upon him the rank of University Professor, the Board of Trustees has recognized Dr. Eastwood as a valued member of the SUNY community,” said Chairman Carl T. Hayden. “It is my honor to be a part of this important appointment and my pleasure to welcome Dr. Eastwood back to the SUNY family.”

 “As University Professor, Dr. Eastwood will build upon his distinguished academic career at the SUNY Upstate campus,” said SUNY Interim Chancellor John B. Clark. “I am pleased that the Board of Trustees has recognized his value to the system by conferring the University Professor rank and I am confident that Dr. Eastwood will continue to serve SUNY well in this new capacity.”

"I am humbled by this honor from SUNY” said Eastwood. “My association with the State University of New York, which began more than 15 years ago, provided me with one of the greatest and most rewarding opportunities in academia: the ability to serve as a university president. I accept this honor with deep gratitude to all those who along the way have provided me with support, wise counsel and encouragement."

Dr. Eastwood served as President for 13 years at the Upstate Medical University between 1993 and 2006, and previously was the Dean of the Medical College of Georgia (1989-1992).  While at Upstate, he was their longest-serving chief executive and was an outspoken advocate for the University on all fronts.  Under Dr. Eastwood’s tenure, the University more than doubled its operating budget, employment increased making Upstate the largest employer in the area, and building and renovation projects exceeded $200 million. 

Locally, Dr. Eastwood lent his visionary leadership to various local institutions. Outside of Syracuse, he was a key figure in numerous medical organizations and received dozens of accolades and awards in recognition of his community service and leadership.  Dr. Eastwood’s contributions and service to both Upstate Medical University and the surrounding community have been key to the development of the campus as a world class institution of higher education. 

Following his departure from Upstate Medical University in 2006, Dr. Eastwood served as Interim President of Case Western Reserve University, where his term ended in July 2007.  With the appointment of a permanent president to that institution following his term, Dr. Eastwood agreed to stay on for an additional year to serve as Director of the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence and as an advisor to the new Case Western Reserve University president, until June 2008.

Dr. Eastwood is currently on Title F leave without pay from the State University of New York.  Upon his return to Upstate Medical University in September 2008, Dr. Eastwood will receive a state salary from the College and will receive a salary supplement from SUNY System Administration in the amount of $25,000 for a period of three years.

University Professor rank at SUNY has been awarded in the past to former-Provost Peter D. Salins, Chancellors Robert L. King, D. Bruce Johnstone, Jerome Komisar and Joseph C. Burke following their service in the University’s System Administration. Also, Presidents William Greiner, Paul Yu and Ross Whaley were designated University Professors upon the conclusion of their successful terms in office.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 427,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu.

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