Robert L. Caret named new president of Towson University
Robert L. Caret, president of San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif., has been named president of Towson University, the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents announced today. Caret, a former provost and executive vice president
| Robert L. Caret takes over at Towson University, July 1, 2003. |
Clifford M. Kendall, chairman of the Board of Regents, said, "Robert Caret brings to Towson a depth and breadth of experience befitting this remarkable and forward-thinking institution. He has an intimate knowledge of the campus and proven leadership skills as shown by his success at San Jose State. That campus stands out in a state with many front-running universities, and in that sense it is much like Towson. The board is confident that Robert will enjoy even greater success in his new position."
USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan said Caret has "a deep understanding of the university its past, its present, and, most importantly, its enormous potential."
"Several months ago, I removed my name from consideration for the Presidency of Towson University (TU)," said Caret. Since that time, Towson has continued to review candidates for the position but has been unsuccessful in finding the right match to meet their needs. I have periodically received calls from several individuals at Towson who have attempted to convince me that I was the right match, partly due to my long history with TU and partly due to the match they saw between the needs of the campus and my skills and abilities. They asked that I reconsider. I said 'no' many times but, as the dialog has unfolded, I feel I must now say 'yes.'
"My 21-year history with Towson was a big factor in this decision. My family and I helped it grow and evolve for many years. We know that Towson has a great deal of untapped potential. I feel that I can play an important role in helping TU maximize that potential and continue to develop as one of the premiere institutions in this country. We are also drawn back to the East Coast for personal reasons; most of our family and most of our history are there. The professional fit, the personal ties and history, and the opportunity from a career growth perspective all have contributed to this decision.
"In December, the outpouring of support from family, the campus, the community, and the leadership of the system and state led me to my original decision to stay at San Jose State. As I said at that time, the position of president forges both strong professional and personal links between the individual and the institution. Over the last eight years, my family and I have become an intimate part of the SJSU family. We have enjoyed that family and the larger community of which it is a part. Much has been accomplished at SJSU and there is much, much more to do. I hope I have played a significant part in getting us to where we are today. I know the university will be successful in finding a leader who can continue to expand on that progress."
"Bob is an ideal match for Towson University because he knows of the special relationship that this institution has with its students, its faculty, and its community and he shares the enthusiasm we all have for Towson's future," Kirwan said. "This is a university with a proud history of great service to our state but under Bob's dynamic leadership its best days clearly lie just ahead."
The Governor of Maryland, Robert Ehrlich, who recently donated his congressional papers to Towson University, said of Caret's appointment: "The Board of Regents has chosen an excellent, highly qualified individual to lead one of the state's most dynamic institutions. I congratulate Bob Caret, the university, and the Board for this outstanding decision."
A native of Biddeford, Maine, Robert L. Caret was appointed president of San Jose State in January 1995. In that role, he leads one of the California State system's largest campuses, with 32,000 students, more than 130 graduate and undergraduate programs, and an operating budget of $400 million. He has restructured the metropolitan campus's eight colleges and schools to emphasize external partnerships that foster education, economic development, arts and culture, and social change.
Prior to that, Caret was Towson's provost and executive vice president for five years. In that capacity, he was responsible for providing leadership in all academic programs and divisions within the institution. He oversaw the campus's operating budget and led Towson's first capital campaign, which raised $10 million. Caret also served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Towson from 1987 to 1991, and in other leading administrative roles, including dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, going back to 1985.
Before his years of administrative service, Caret taught chemistry at Towson in various academic positions culminating in a full professorship in the mid-'90s. He began his Towson career in 1974 as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry.
Caret received a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1969 from Suffolk University. He earned a doctorate in organic chemistry in 1974 from the University of New Hampshire. He also received an honorary Doctor of Science from Suffolk University in 1996, as well as an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from The National Hispanic University in 1997. He is a member of the American Council of Education, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and numerous other professional associations. Caret has numerous scientific publications and presentations to his credit, as well as a number of papers and lectures on affairs in higher education.
Caret has been repeatedly recognized for his efforts throughout his career in higher education. In 2000 he was named one of Silicon Valley's Top 40 Most Powerful Individuals by the San Jose Mercury News. In 2001 he received the American Football Federation Outstanding President's Award, and in 1999 he received the National Hispanic University Tomas Rivera Leadership Award.
Caret and his wife, Elizabeth Zoltan, have four children.
Towson is a comprehensive public university, enrolling approximately 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The largest public university in the Baltimore area and the second largest in Maryland, it is recognized as one of the finest regional universities in the North with degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields.