Robert H. Bruininks, President and Professor Emeritus

Robert Bruininks, Susan Hagstrum, and Foster

For 45 years, Robert H. Bruininks served the University of Minnesota as assistant professor, professor, department head, dean, executive vice president and provost, and president of the University. It is a rare thing these days for a person to work for a single institution his entire career, both as an academic and as an administrator. Bob retired from the University in September of 2013, and today, the former Science Teaching and Student Services building he commissioned along the Mississippi River bears the name Robert H. Bruininks Hall.

Bob continues to write and speak on issues of human development and education. He has served on a number of nonprofit boards and has shared his time and experience with many other nonprofit agencies since completing his term as president. These days, he and his "much better half" Susan Hagstrum live just up the river in downtown Minneapolis. They enjoy their cabin on northern Minnesota's Gunflint Trail, pursuing hiking and other outdoor activities, and spend time traveling and visiting family. They still cheer the Gophers and wear maroon and gold proudly.