Thomas A. Bartlett
Encyclopedia
Thomas Alva Bartlett is an American educator who is most notable for having served as President of several universities and university systems.
Bartlett was born in Salem, Oregon
and graduated from Salem High School in 1947. He attended Willamette University
for two years, where he joined Beta Theta Pi
fraternity, before transferring to Stanford University
, where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society
. After graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, he attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a master's degree. In 1959 he was awarded a Ph.D. degree from Stanford University
. While still in graduate school, he was recruited to join the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations
to work on Arab-Israeli relations. From, there, he became the President of the American University in Cairo
.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he assumed the Presidency of Colgate University
and the Chancellorships of the University of Alabama System
and the Oregon State System of Higher Education. He also served as President of the Association of American Universities
. He was called out of a brief retirement to head the State University of New York
System in 1994, but conflicts with George Pataki
appointees on the University's Board of Trustees led to his resignation after just 17 months on the job.
After SUNY, he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United States-Japan Foundation, leaving after seven years to re-assume the Presidency of the American University in Cairo on an interim
basis.
The Thomas A. Bartlett Chair of English at Colgate University is named after him.
Bartlett was born in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
and graduated from Salem High School in 1947. He attended Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
for two years, where he joined Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
fraternity, before transferring to Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
. After graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, he attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a master's degree. In 1959 he was awarded a Ph.D. degree from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. While still in graduate school, he was recruited to join the United States Permanent Mission to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
to work on Arab-Israeli relations. From, there, he became the President of the American University in Cairo
American University in Cairo
The American University in Cairo is an independent, non-profit, apolitical, secular institution of higher learning located in Cairo, Egypt...
.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he assumed the Presidency of Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
and the Chancellorships of the University of Alabama System
University of Alabama System
The University of Alabama System consists of three public universities in Alabama, USA: The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa , The University of Alabama at Birmingham , and The University of Alabama in Huntsville...
and the Oregon State System of Higher Education. He also served as President of the Association of American Universities
Association of American Universities
The Association of American Universities is an organization of leading research universities devoted to maintaining a strong system of academic research and education...
. He was called out of a brief retirement to head the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
System in 1994, but conflicts with George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
appointees on the University's Board of Trustees led to his resignation after just 17 months on the job.
After SUNY, he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United States-Japan Foundation, leaving after seven years to re-assume the Presidency of the American University in Cairo on an interim
Interim
Interim is an album by British rock band The Fall, compiled from live and studio material and released in 2004. It features the first officially released versions of "Clasp Hands", "Blindness" and "What About Us?" — all of which were later included on the band's next studio album Fall Heads Roll —...
basis.
The Thomas A. Bartlett Chair of English at Colgate University is named after him.