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	Daniel Goldin Photo by Kalman Zabarsky

By Brian Fitzgerald

Pledging to help bring BU to new heights, former NASA administrator Daniel Goldin accepted on August 14 the University’s offer to become its ninth president. He will take office on November 1.

“I am both humbled and exhilarated by the opportunity to lead Boston University as its new president,” says Goldin. “I have a great deal to learn as I chart our future course, and I am counting on the help and support of the entire University community to help me guide Boston University to the next level of excellence.”

Goldin, whose father was a teacher, sent an e-mail to students, faculty, and staff telling them of his acceptance and saying that after having satisfying jobs in the private sector and in public service, he is excited about embarking on a career in “that noblest profession,” education. “My ultimate goal,” he wrote, “is to develop a shared vision for the University that will take all of us to new levels of knowledge and accomplishment through the power of education.”

Goldin is “a visionary,” with strong leadership qualities, imagination, and dedication, says Christopher Barreca (DGE’50, LAW’53), chairman of the Board of Trustees. “His knowledge of government and the private sector, coupled with his lifelong devotion to education, creates an unsurpassed mix of experience that will serve the University well in the years ahead.”

Goldin, 63, will take over the helm of the nation’s fourth-largest independent university from John Silber, who became president in 1971 and has served as chancellor since stepping down as president in 1996. Silber will become president emeritus when Goldin assumes office. “Not for a moment,” says Goldin, “will I forget the achievements of those who have gone before me, especially Chancellor John Silber, whose dedication of more than 30 years has raised Boston University to the threshold of greatness that I am privileged to advance.”

Of the appointment of Goldin, Silber said, “I am honored to be succeeded by a great man, whose accomplishments in private and public institutions and in service to the nation position him by ability and experience to advance Boston University to unprecedented heights.”

Goldin, a mechanical engineer, served as head of NASA from April 1992 to November 2001, longer than anyone else, under three presidents, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. He is widely perceived to have taken an agency with a troubled bureaucracy and given it new prominence during a tenure marked by innovation, expanded exploration, and numerous awards. National Journal named him one of the 100 most influential people in government, noting that most space watchers credit him with “bringing NASA back from the brink of a black hole.” The New York Times reported that space analysts attribute the new era of revitalization at NASA “to the influence of Dan Goldin.”

Goldin initiated NASA’s Origins Program, to study how life on earth began and to explore whether it exists elsewhere. He challenged planners to search for earth-like planets within 100 light-years of ours. He was also a vigorous proponent for increased exploration of Mars, establishing a series of robotic missions to explore the planet using planetary rovers and penetrators to determine if life and water may have existed on Mars. These expeditions will help development of future human missions to Mars, which Goldin believes could occur within the next two decades.

Executive Vice President Joseph Mercurio, who was a member of the presidential search committee, says that a number of Goldin’s positive characteristics came across clearly when BU officials first met with him. “He has extensive experience within larger organizations, organizations much larger than Boston University,” says Mercurio. “Thus, he will have little difficulty understanding the intricacies of a large educational institution. Also, it was obvious that his perspective isn’t limited to just management. It includes the broader and more important perspective of leadership. Mr. Goldin has a presence about him and expresses himself effectively. In listening to him, one is clearly inspired -- to think and to take action. This is a rare trait and a vital attribute for those entrusted to a position of leadership.”

Goldin grew up in the South Bronx and graduated in 1962 from the City College of New York. He began his career at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, where he worked on electric propulsion for human interplanetary travel. He then moved to TRW, becoming vice president and general manager of the company’s world-renowned Space and Technology Group, in Redondo Beach, Calif.

During a 25-year career at TRW, Goldin led projects for America’s defense and developed concepts and managed production of advanced communications spacecraft, space technologies, and scientific instruments.

While at TRW, and later as NASA administrator, Goldin received the Meritorious Award from the National Association of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses for his work reaching out to minorities. He was the first person to win this award twice.

Mercurio says that Goldin’s experience in Washington will benefit BU and higher education in general. “He knows many members of Congress personally,” he says. “When legislation and regulations are under consideration that would adversely affect higher education, such as student aid funding, Mr. Goldin will be in a good position to comment, and he will be able to assist the faculty in targeting their grant applications to areas of greater opportunity.”

Provost Dennis Berkey says that what stands out most about Goldin’s experience is “his visionary leadership in advancing a major component of the nation’s agenda in science, technology, and space.”

As for his time in Washington, Berkey says, “It is greatly to the University’s advantage to have recruited a leader of such national prominence, both for his access to quarters of influence and in reflection of the high stature to which the University has risen.”

Christopher Reaske, vice president for development and alumni relations, says that Goldin is committed to building the University’s financial strength. “In my conversations with Dan Goldin thus far, he has told me that he plans to commit considerable time to fundraising, particularly from the private sector,” Reaske says. “He is contacting individuals, both alumni and friends of Boston University, making it clear that we need their support. He is particularly interested in building the University’s endowment, including securing as many new endowed professorships as possible. I am confident that his energy, ingenuity, and determination will have a positive impact on the University’s fundraising achievements.”

Goldin is currently a senior fellow at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego. He is a member of the board of directors of Lucent Technologies and the CDW Corporation. He is president and founder of the Goldin Group, a high-technology consulting firm, and is on the board of trustees of the National Geographic Society. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Competitiveness in Washington, D.C. and is also the leader of a study group at the Council on Foreign Relations on the use of weapons in space.

He has been awarded 17 honorary doctorates from some of the world’s leading universities and is a member of the National Academy of Engineers.

Goldin and his wife, Judy, have two daughters, Ariel and Laura, and two grandchildren.

28 August 2003
Boston University
Office of University Relations