SUNY Board of Trustees Appoints C. Peter Magrath President of Binghamton University

Buffalo – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today appointed C. Peter Magrath as president of Binghamton University to a term that will run through December 31, 2011, while the search for a new president of BU continues.

Magrath, a former senior presidential advisor for The College Board and a past president of Binghamton University from 1972 to 1974, took office as interim president on July 1, 2010. His compensation will not change as a result of this appointment.

SUNY Board Chairman Carl T. Hayden said, “Dr. Magrath has provided admirable leadership for Binghamton University since July and the Board is pleased that he has agreed to stay on as president through the end of the year.”

“I am grateful to Dr. Magrath for his extended leadership of Binghamton University while we continue to conduct the search for his successor,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “As a seasoned higher education leader with an international reputation for excellence, Dr. Magrath’s appointment serves as an example of the level of accomplishment and ability we will be looking for in candidates.”

“I am both honored and excited to be asked to serve as president of this outstanding University,” said Magrath. “I thank the Board of Trustees for their continued confidence and support, and I look forward to continuing my service to Binghamton University, where we have outstanding students, a passion for discovery, and a commitment to our community.”

Dr. Magrath has been a leader in higher education since the early 1970s, and has earned international recognition for his achievements.  Just last month, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, chancellor of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for his work in South Africa.

About C. Peter Magrath

Prior to his position as interim president at Binghamton University, Dr. Magrath served as interim president at West Virginia University between 2008 and 2009. Since 2006, he has been senior presidential advisor at The College Board. From 1992 through 2005, he served as president of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, now the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), a voluntary association of 212 public research universities located in all 50 states.

Prior to his work at the national level, Dr. Magrath was president of the University of Missouri System (1985-1991), University of Minnesota (1974-1984), Binghamton University (1972-1974), and served as Interim President at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1971-1972).

Dr. Magrath is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of New Hampshire, where he earned his doctorate and bachelor’s degrees, respectively, in political science. His scholarly interests include American government, higher education, and international affairs.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with more than 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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