V. Lane Rawlins
Encyclopedia
Veldon Lane Rawlins is the President of the University of North Texas
. On November 9, 2010, Rawlins sent an email notification announcing "with sincere enthusiasm and commitment that I agree to be sole finalist in UNT's search for its next president." He is the former President of Washington State University
(WSU) and of the University of Memphis
.
, United States
. He began his college education at Idaho State University
and after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia he transferred to Brigham Young University
about the same time he married his wife Mary Jo Love. he graduated from Brigham Young University
in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 1969, Rawlins obtained his doctoral degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley
.
for five years before assuming the presidency of the University of Memphis
.
In June 2000, Rawlins returned to Washington State where he served as president until May 21, 2007. Rawlins created some controversy in the WSU community in 2002 when he tried to phase out the popular nickname "Wazzu" from usage. The change proved a firestorm of protest from students and alumni and he relented. He is remembered for a strategic plan developed by faculty that led to increases in research funding and to growth in the numbers of talented students choosing WSU.
Rawlins is a labor economist by training and much of his research work focused on the effects of education on earnings in people's lives. His books include "Public Service Employment: The Experience of a Decade," co-authored with Robert F. Cook and Charles F. Adams, published in 1985.
In 2006, Rawlins announced his retirement as president of WSU. He was succeeded by former University of Missouri System President Elson Floyd
in late May 2007. Floyd is WSU's first African-American president.
Rawlins then returned to the School of Economic Sciences faculty. He served as the interim director of The William D. Ruckelshaus Center, a regional problem-solving program of Washington State University
and the University of Washington
, from 2007 - 2009.
On April 16, 2010, the University of North Texas
System Board of Regents appointed V. Lane Rawlins as UNT's president for 2010-11. The appointment, effective May 14, was expected to run through summer 2011 as UNT conducts a national search for its next president. On November 9, 2010, Rawlins accepted the offer to become the university's permanent full-time President. Rawlins succeeded Phil C. Diebel who became UNT's interim president following the resignation in February 2010 of President Gretchen M. Bataille.
and the Cougar Marching Band
, but he also enjoys fly-fishing, golf, history, and literature.
While the Vice Chancellor of Alabama Rawlins also served as bishop of the Tuscaloosa Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
. On November 9, 2010, Rawlins sent an email notification announcing "with sincere enthusiasm and commitment that I agree to be sole finalist in UNT's search for its next president." He is the former President of Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
(WSU) and of the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
.
Early life and education
Born on November 30, 1937 in southeastern IdahoIdaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He began his college education at Idaho State University
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
and after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia he transferred to Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
about the same time he married his wife Mary Jo Love. he graduated from Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 1969, Rawlins obtained his doctoral degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
.
Academic career
In 1968, Rawlins became part of the faculty of the Department of Economics at WSU. He served as the chair of the department from 1977 to 1981 and was WSU's vice provost from 1982-1986. He served as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University of AlabamaUniversity of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
for five years before assuming the presidency of the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
.
In June 2000, Rawlins returned to Washington State where he served as president until May 21, 2007. Rawlins created some controversy in the WSU community in 2002 when he tried to phase out the popular nickname "Wazzu" from usage. The change proved a firestorm of protest from students and alumni and he relented. He is remembered for a strategic plan developed by faculty that led to increases in research funding and to growth in the numbers of talented students choosing WSU.
Rawlins is a labor economist by training and much of his research work focused on the effects of education on earnings in people's lives. His books include "Public Service Employment: The Experience of a Decade," co-authored with Robert F. Cook and Charles F. Adams, published in 1985.
In 2006, Rawlins announced his retirement as president of WSU. He was succeeded by former University of Missouri System President Elson Floyd
Elson Floyd
Elson S. Floyd is an American educator who took office as the 10th president of the four-campus Washington State University on May 21, 2007. He succeeded V. Lane Rawlins as the leader of Washington State’s land-grant research university...
in late May 2007. Floyd is WSU's first African-American president.
Rawlins then returned to the School of Economic Sciences faculty. He served as the interim director of The William D. Ruckelshaus Center, a regional problem-solving program of Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
and the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, from 2007 - 2009.
On April 16, 2010, the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
System Board of Regents appointed V. Lane Rawlins as UNT's president for 2010-11. The appointment, effective May 14, was expected to run through summer 2011 as UNT conducts a national search for its next president. On November 9, 2010, Rawlins accepted the offer to become the university's permanent full-time President. Rawlins succeeded Phil C. Diebel who became UNT's interim president following the resignation in February 2010 of President Gretchen M. Bataille.
Personal
He and his wife Mary Jo Rawlins have three children and 11 grandchildren including a current undergraduate at Washington State. Rawlins is an avid fan of WSU Cougar AthleticsWashington State Cougars
The Washington State Cougars are the athletic teams at Washington State University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Washington State University is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I...
and the Cougar Marching Band
Washington State University Cougar Marching Band
The Cougar Marching Band is the marching band of Washington State University. With over 250 members, the Cougar Marching Band performs at every home football game.Motto: "Best in the West"-Instrumentation:*Flutes/Piccolos*Clarinets*Alto Saxophones...
, but he also enjoys fly-fishing, golf, history, and literature.
While the Vice Chancellor of Alabama Rawlins also served as bishop of the Tuscaloosa Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.