Biography of Dr. Robert E. Witt

As president of The University of Alabama, Dr. Robert E. Witt has committed the University to an ambitious plan for growth and achievement. His goals include increasing enrollment to 28,000 students by 2010 and stimulating significant growth in research in support of economic expansion for the state and nation. Under his leadership, enrollment has reached record levels and academic quality has increased significantly. The University ranks 12th nationally among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars and leads the nation in the number of students named to USA Today’s All-USA College Academic Teams. Since its inception in 2003, the University’s Honors College has grown exponentially, enrolling more than 1,000 freshmen in 2007. Dr. Witt has also led a major building program on campus with 20 new facilities opening in the last five years. Private giving to the University is at an all-time high with supporters embracing the “Our Students. Our Future.” capital campaign and its major goal of improving scholarship opportunities for deserving students.

Dr. Witt’s vision for the University of the future has three cornerstones:

• To be a university of choice for the best and brightest students;
• To be a student-centered tier-1 research university;
• To be an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.

Now in his sixth year as president, Dr. Witt came to UA with 35 years experience in the University of Texas System. He received his B.A. in economics from Bates College, his M.B.A. from Tuck School at Dartmouth College, and his Ph.D. from Penn State University. He currently chairs the board of directors of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, serves on the board of directors of the Black Warrior Council Boy Scouts of America and is a member of the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority. Dr. Witt and his wife Sandee have two grandchildren.