Thomas LeBlanc

Thomas LeBlanc
17th President of the George Washington University
Assumed office
1 July 2017
Preceded by Steven Knapp
Personal details
Born 8 September 1955

Thomas LeBlanc is the current President of the George Washington University. He succeeded President Steven Knapp in July 2017.

Personal life

LeBlanc earned a bachelor of science in computer sciences from the State University of New York, Plattsburgh. He earned a masters and a Ph.D. in computer sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Dr. LeBlanc is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Career

Prior to his election as President of the George Washington University, Dr. LeBlanc served as the University of Miami's Chief Academic Officer, Chief Budget Officer, Executive Vice-President, and Provost. While at the University of Miami, LeBlanc led the development and implementation of the university's strategic plan. He served as interim President of the University of Miami in 2015. He also led the deans in the design of a $1.6 billion fundraising campaign.

LeBlanc worked GW as was chair of the evaluation team for GW’s accreditation during the 2007-2008 academic year.

Prior to Miami, LeBlanc served as Vice Provost & Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering at the University of Rochester. He was chair of the department of computer science and the Dean of the College Faculty. He is credited with the development of the biomedical engineering department with the University of Rochester Medical Center.[1]

LeBlanc has been widely published in computer science and engineering journals. Dr. LeBlanc has served as principal investor or co-principal investigator on eight federally-funded research initiatives.[2]

Controversies

Marcia McNutt favoritism controversy

On March 5, 2018, The George Washington University had announced that President Marcia McNutt of the National Academy of Sciences would be the 2018 Commencement Speaker. [3] [4] This sparked a minor controversy amongst the student body who believed that McNutt was not notable enough to serve in this position, considering past speakers included Cory Booker, Michelle Obama, Tammy Duckworth, Kerry Washington, and Tim Cook.[5] Students were further concerned that LeBlanc had a prior relationship with McNutt, as he presented her with an honorary doctorate from the University of Miami while he was an administrator there.[6] LeBlanc's connection to McNutt led to accusations that the president practiced favoritism in his choice of 2018's commencement speaker. [7]

The controversy gained further attention when on April 4, LeBlanc was caught on a hot mic and criticized students, saying: "So this isn’t the group of engineers, scientists etc. here at GW? It’s the ones that have been privileged for the last 200 years that are finally upset? OK, I can live with that.” [8]

References

  1. ↑ GW Hatchet - Thomas LeBlanc to Be Next University President
  2. ↑ GW Today - Thomas LeBlanc Named 17th President of The George Washington University
  3. ↑ Koenneker, Liz (March 5, 2018). "GW names Marcia McNutt as 2018 Commencement speaker". The GW Hatchet. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt Will Deliver GW Commencement Address". GWU Today. George Washington University. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Editorial Board (March 8, 2018). "Choosing Marcia McNutt for Commencement speaker was a mistake" (https://www.gwhatchet.com/2018/03/08/choosing-marcia-mcnutt-for-commencement-speaker-was-a-mistake/). The GW Hatchet.
  6. ↑ Editorial Board (March 8, 2018). "Choosing Marcia McNutt for Commencement speaker was a mistake" (https://www.gwhatchet.com/2018/03/08/choosing-marcia-mcnutt-for-commencement-speaker-was-a-mistake/). The GW Hatchet.
  7. ↑ Editorial Board (March 8, 2018). "Choosing Marcia McNutt for Commencement speaker was a mistake" (https://www.gwhatchet.com/2018/03/08/choosing-marcia-mcnutt-for-commencement-speaker-was-a-mistake/). The GW Hatchet.
  8. ↑ Roaten, Meredith (5 April 2018). "LeBlanc on hot mic: 'Doesn't anybody have any shame' about graduation speaker criticism". The GW Hatchet. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
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