Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott Wins Prestigious Chief Executive Leadership Award

Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott is the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Chief Executive Leadership Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District II. Dr. Scott was selected from a pool of candidates within District II, the largest of the eight CASE districts, which is comprised of nearly 750 member institutions from Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and other countries overseas. In seven years, with Dr. Scott’s strategic leadership, Adelphi has increased student enrollment, addressed societal needs, expanded its campus, increased alumni participation, and earned national and regional accolades. The 2007 and 2008 Fiske Guide to Colleges named Adelphi as one of a handful of “best buys.” A 2006 New York Times article noted that “By practically every measure the university is thriving.” A $600,000 challenge grant for The Campaign for Adelphi University from the Kresge Foundation, considered one of the most selective and prestigious foundations in the United States, is yet another endorsement of Adelphi’s solid reputation and its ability to fulfill its vision and mission.

Under Dr. Scott’s deft leadership, Adelphi’s full-time equivalent enrollment has jumped by 52 percent to 6,525 in 2006–2007. Adelphi’s 2007 freshman class of 900 students marked a 20-year high for the University. Adelphi’s total endowment has more than doubled since 2000, rising to $106 million in 2006–2007.

This institutional strength and Dr. Scott’s success at forging closer ties with alumni and community members have been instrumental in reviving Adelphi’s reputation and attracting greater support, ultimately allowing Adelphi to launch its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign with a goal of $56 million. Campaign commitments to date total $33.6 million, including ten generous gifts of $1 million or more.

“Bob (Scott) has reestablished Adelphi as a leading private University in the region, and restored the confidence and trust of our alumni,” said Adelphi University Trustee Carol A. Ammon M.B.A.’79, founder, retired CEO and chairman of Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., in supporting Dr. Scott’s nomination. “He embodies my own philosophy of engaged leadership.”

“As a member of the alumni association executive board, I have personally witnessed an even greater turnaround in the University’s relationship with its more than 90,000 alumni,” said Patrick S. Smalley ’86, president of the Alumni Association Board, in a letter of support for Dr. Scott’s nomination. “From the outset, Bob proved to be a relentless advocate for innovative alumni programming and outreach. He brought alumni from every school and college back to campus, and sought their input in crafting a new vision for Adelphi. Bob has brought Adelphi to a place where it is a valuable resource for its alumni, and where it can take advantage of all that they have to offer.”