Robert Coombe
Encyclopedia
Robert Coombe is a chemist and an educator. He has been a faculty member at the University of Denver
since 1981. In 2005 he became the chancellor
of the university.
, but lived in Colorado
for the majority of his life. He attended Williams College
,a small school in Williamstown, Massachusetts, which is part of the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Coombe graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree. He went on to the University of California at Berkeley to get his doctorate in chemistry in 1973. He did a postdoctoral study at the University of Toronto
after UC Berkeley, and then worked at Rockwell International
in Thousand Oaks, California for seven years as a researcher.
In 1981, Coombe returned to Colorado and began his career as an educator. He was hired by the University of Denver
to be a professor in chemistry. From there, he took on many leadership roles at DU. He became Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies from 1985-1987. He served as a chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry from 1988-1995. He was dean of the Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering from 1995-2001. And in 2001, Coombe was named the Provost
at DU, a position he held until July 1, 2005 when he was named the 17th Chancellor of DU, taking over for Daniel L. Ritchie
, who had been chancellor since 1989.
In his acceptance speech on April 20, 2005, Coombe said, "There are simply no words to express the joy with which I accept the honor of becoming the Chancellor of this truly wonderful university, in this truly wonderful city."
On October 2008 in an email to DU students and alumni, Coombe defended the administration’s decision to retire mascot “Boone
” back in 1998 after students had tried to bring the mascot back. Coombe said in the email that Boone “does not reflect the broad diversity of the DU community” but recognized that “we are certainly an institution that honors its past. Hence it seems reasonable that students and alumni be allowed to use the image as a celebration of that past, to the extent that they may choose".
On May 29, 2009, Coombe announced a smoking ban that would ban smoking in all university buildings, and within 25 feet of entrances and exits buildings on campus. The ban was based on a recommendation by DU’s Tobacco Task Force headed by Sam Alexander, the executive director of University Health Services. The smoking ban was implemented on January 1, 2010, officially banning smoking on and around all areas of campus.
Besides being the current chancellor at the University of Denver, Coombe also holds other roles in the community. These include: member of Higher Education Working Group of the Council on Foreign Relations, on the Committee of Accountability of the Board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, member of Rocky Mountain Regional Advisory Board of the Institute for International Education, and trustee of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
Coombe is still the current Chancellor at the University of Denver.
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
since 1981. In 2005 he became the chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of the university.
Education and Work Background
Robert Coombe was born in 1948 in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, but lived in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
for the majority of his life. He attended Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
,a small school in Williamstown, Massachusetts, which is part of the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Coombe graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree. He went on to the University of California at Berkeley to get his doctorate in chemistry in 1973. He did a postdoctoral study at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
after UC Berkeley, and then worked at Rockwell International
Rockwell International
Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation....
in Thousand Oaks, California for seven years as a researcher.
In 1981, Coombe returned to Colorado and began his career as an educator. He was hired by the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
to be a professor in chemistry. From there, he took on many leadership roles at DU. He became Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies from 1985-1987. He served as a chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry from 1988-1995. He was dean of the Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering from 1995-2001. And in 2001, Coombe was named the Provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
at DU, a position he held until July 1, 2005 when he was named the 17th Chancellor of DU, taking over for Daniel L. Ritchie
Daniel L. Ritchie
Daniel L. Ritchie is the Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Denver, a former CEO of major communication corporations, and a Harvard alumnus...
, who had been chancellor since 1989.
In his acceptance speech on April 20, 2005, Coombe said, "There are simply no words to express the joy with which I accept the honor of becoming the Chancellor of this truly wonderful university, in this truly wonderful city."
DU Decisions ’05-Present
Due to the economic crisis, Coombe implemented a hiring freeze on October 2008. He halted the search for new faculty and staff because the campus was at or near capacity and was quoted as saying that he wanted administration to “rethink the centralized operating model and make appropriate modifications” due to the current economic situation. Over 111 staff members applied for voluntary severance as a result, receiving a lump-sum payment equal to six months’ salary by willingly leaving. The hiring freeze has since been lifted.However during this time tuition rates continued to be raised by the University.On October 2008 in an email to DU students and alumni, Coombe defended the administration’s decision to retire mascot “Boone
Boone
- Places :In the United States:* Boone, Colorado* Boone, Iowa* Boone, North Carolina* Boone Grove, Indiana* Boone Township, Minnesota* Boones Mill, Virginia* Boonesboro, Missouri* Boonesborough, Kentucky* Booneville...
” back in 1998 after students had tried to bring the mascot back. Coombe said in the email that Boone “does not reflect the broad diversity of the DU community” but recognized that “we are certainly an institution that honors its past. Hence it seems reasonable that students and alumni be allowed to use the image as a celebration of that past, to the extent that they may choose".
On May 29, 2009, Coombe announced a smoking ban that would ban smoking in all university buildings, and within 25 feet of entrances and exits buildings on campus. The ban was based on a recommendation by DU’s Tobacco Task Force headed by Sam Alexander, the executive director of University Health Services. The smoking ban was implemented on January 1, 2010, officially banning smoking on and around all areas of campus.
Personal Life and Other Activities
Chancellor Coombe is married to Dr. Julanna Gilbert, a professor at the University of Denver in the chemistry department. They have two grown children and four grandchildren. Coombe and his wife are amateur musicians. Coombe enjoys playing the cello and other bass instruments, while his wife is a violinist, and together they perform informal chamber ensembles. Coombe also has an interest in the outdoors and enjoys outdoors activities.Besides being the current chancellor at the University of Denver, Coombe also holds other roles in the community. These include: member of Higher Education Working Group of the Council on Foreign Relations, on the Committee of Accountability of the Board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, member of Rocky Mountain Regional Advisory Board of the Institute for International Education, and trustee of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
Coombe is still the current Chancellor at the University of Denver.