A highly regarded educational leader and native of Southern California has been named the 11th president of the University of Redlands
The University of Redlands Board of Trustees met June 2 to receive the unanimous recommendation from the University's presidential search committee, and then elected Dr. Ralph W. Kuncl the 11th president of University of Redlands.
Ralph W. Kuncl has been named the 11th president of the University of Redlands. (Photo: Business Wire)
"I am honored and humbled to have been selected to serve as the next president of the University of Redlands," Kuncl said. "The University of Redlands is clearly a great team and it's the chance of a lifetime to be selected to lead the University into an energetic future."
Dr. Kuncl, who is provost and executive vice president at the University of Rochester, also expressed his appreciation for his predecessor James R. Appleton who retires after 20-plus years as leader of the 4,700-student university in southern California.
"Dr. Jim Appleton leaves a superb legacy, guiding the University through many years of excellence and paving the way for future success," Kuncl said.
In addition to his administrative role at Rochester, Dr. Kuncl is professor of brain and cognitive sciences and neurology. He has led the expansion of multidisciplinary research and initiatives in diversity and leadership development.
"Ralph is a high-energy person and a very effective, principled leader, and along with a remarkable background and list of achievements, we found him to be a man who is motivated by service to others, and particularly with a mission of helping to build and improve a liberal arts and sciences college like Redlands," said Carole Beswick, University trustee and chair of the presidential search committee.
"With the leadership of Ralph Kuncl we look forward with great confidence to the possibilities for the future of the University of Redlands," Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Fisher said.
Dr. Kuncl grew up in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles, and received his AB degree at Occidental College. He earned his Ph.D. and M.D. degrees from the University of Chicago and completed postdoctoral fellowships at Johns Hopkins University before serving for 20 years as Professor of Neurology and Pathology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
He is married to Nancy Kuncl, a former businesswoman and now a hospice nurse.
Dr. Kuncl's first administrative appointment was as vice provost of Johns Hopkins University. He then served as provost at Bryn Mawr College, where he continued to pursue a balanced approach to education and research.
An internationally recognized expert and researcher in the field of neurology, Dr. Kuncl was instrumental in the establishment of the Cal Ripken-Lou Gehrig Endowment for Neuromuscular Disease. Dr. Kuncl has been very successful in securing grants and private gifts in support of his research and academic initiatives and has enjoyed mentoring students as well as faculty throughout his career.
As a national leader in higher education Dr. Kuncl served for many years on the National Executive Board of the Reinvention Center. He was an assembly representative for the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE) and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Tuition Plan Consortium, sponsor of the Private College 529 Plan.
He is a long-time supporter of the fine arts and an accomplished musician, singing with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society for over twenty years and performing with the Eastman-Rochester Chorus.
Kuncl will arrive at University of Redlands in mid-August to assume the presidency. He succeeds James R. Appleton who retires as 10th president of the University and 25 years of service.
About University of Redlands
The University of Redlands is an independent non-profit liberal arts and sciences university consistently ranked among the best universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Since the university's founding in 1907, Redlands has emphasized academic rigor, personal development and interdisciplinary studies. An Education + culture of elevated learning provides students with a holistic education that results in a unique life transformation. Redlands students learn equally about service, commitment, life and the world. As a pioneer in the burgeoning field of spatial learning, Redlands integrates spatial learning across academic disciplines. At the innovative Johnston Center, students have the opportunity to design their own custom major. Home to one of the oldest accredited music programs in California, the conservatory-style School of Music educates the whole musician. Adults may continue their education with programs tailored for working professionals at the Schools of Business and Education, offering evening degree-completion and graduate programs at 11 convenient Southern California locations.
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Contacts:
University of Redlands
Patty Zurita, 909-748-8070
patty_zurita@redlands.edu