Robert H. Bruininks, a professor and president emeritus of the University of Minnesota, joined the board of trustees of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation in 2013. He now serves as trustee emeritus for the Foundation.
Bruininks served as the 15th president of the University of Minnesota from 2002 to 2011. Highlights from his administration demonstrate that Bruininks is a leading advocate for accountability and reform in higher education.
During his presidency, Bruininks also served:
- on the NCAA Division I board of directors,
- as chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and
- was a presidential appointment to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Bruininks was named Executive of the Year by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal in 2009 and Minnesotan of the Year by Minnesota Monthly in 2004.
Bruininks earned:
- his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University,
- his Master of Arts and doctor of philosophy degrees from George Peabody College,
- distinguished achievement awards from both Western Michigan University and Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
Bruininks is married to Susan A. Hagstrum. They reside in Minneapolis and have three adult children.