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Luis M. Proenza
(1999-2014)
Dr. Luis M. Proenza was born in 1943. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University in 1965 and a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 1966, both in Psychology. He also obtained a Doctorate in Neurobiology from the University of Minnesota in 1971. That year, he joined the faculty of the University of Georgia and served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology before becoming a Full Professor of Zoology.
In 1977, Proenza became Study Director for the National Academy of Science Committee on Vision, and two years later was appointed a member of that committee. After completing an American Council on Education Fellowship in academic administration during 1983, Proenza was appointed as Assistant to the President of the University of Georgia.
Proenza joined the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1987 as Vice Chancellor of Research, Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor of Biology. From 1992 to 1994, he served as Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research there before becoming Vice President for Research, Dean of Graduate Education, and Professor of Biological Sciences at Purdue University from 1995 to 1998.
In 1999, Proenza became the 15th president of The University of Akron. During his presidency, he led the University toward capturing its destiny of becoming recognized as the leading public research university for northern Ohio. Under his guidance, the University undertook a $200 million campus enhancement effort called the New Landscape for Learning in addition to aggressive enrollment management and marketing initiatives. He also set three consecutive annual fund-raising records before here retired in 2014 to become President Emeritus.
A member of several professional, scholarly, and honorary organizations, Proenza is a recipient of many awards and honors, frequent speaker throughout the world, and author of numerous publications. He has served as a member of a number of boards including the National Biotechnology Policy Board, the Council on Research Policy and Graduate Education, and as founding president of the Arctic Research Consortium. He also is a former member of the United States President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
“This is Akron. A place where campus and community are one. A place where the challenge of opportunity is welcomed. A place where you can dream, and dare, and do what it takes to make the world a better place.”
– Luis M. Proenza
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
The University began its “New Landscape for Learning” campus enhancement program in 2000 under the direction of President Proenza. The initiative physically transformed the campus with the addition of 22 new buildings; 18 major additions, acquisitions and renovations; and 34 acres of new green space. This image shows UA officials including Proenza (right) and University Architect Ted Curtis (left) reviewing plans shortly before the project commenced.
From The University of Akron Office of the President Records in Archival Services of University Libraries
This Campus Master Plan clearly illustrates the extensive building program initiated by President Luis Proenza and branded as the “New Landscape for Learning,” The buildings in yellow were new buildings proposed as part of the plan. Most of these were constructed or renovated durinig Proenza’s tenure, including the new Arts & Sciences Building, new student affairs building (Simmons Hall), new Student Center, now named in honor of Jean Hower Taber, and the new Field House and Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
The third addition of UA’s New Landscape for Learning campus enhancement program, the new Arts & Sciences Building, was dedicated by President Proenza on September 4, 2002. The building houses the academic departments of computer science, economics, geography and planning, history, psychology, statistics, and math.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
On June 18, 2003, President Proenza appointed Dr. Elizabeth J. “Beth” Stroble as UA’s first female Provost and its first Senior Vice President, Provost and Chief Operating Officer. In those roles, she provided oversight and leadership for the academic, operational, and financial resources of the University.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
Construction of the new Student Union was another major achievement in President Proenza’s New Landscape for Learning initiative. Ground was broken in 1992 for the 192,000 square-foot building that houses a number of campus offices, a major bookstore, game room, theater, ball room, copy center, meeting rooms, bank, and numerous eateries. The first phase was completed by December of 2002 and the second phase was ready by the fall semester of 2004.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
A long-time dream for the Proenza administration and students alike, UA’s first on-campus football stadium, InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, opened on September 12, 2009. That day, the first football game was played there with a 41-0 victory over Morgan State. The stadium has a seating capacity of 30,000.
Photograph Courtesy of University Communications and Marketing
In order to make UA competitive with local colleges and attractive to prospective students, President Proenza’s campus initiatives including building a new Student Recreation and Wellness Center, which opened in 2004. It features a 1/10-mile indoor track, Olympic-size swimming pool, lazy river, and 53-foot climbing wall in addition to multi-purpose courts, exercise studios, and strength and cardio equipment. Since its construction, the building has won many national awards, including the “50 Great College Gymnasiums and Recreation Centers for 2019.”
“Many university presidents take the helm of a university and focus on what has been in the past. Dr. Proenza took the helm looking to what the University could be in the future.”
– Rep. Marilyn Slaby