Former University of Arizona President Eugene G. Sander passed away Feb. 22. He was 90.
Eugene G. Sander served as the 20th president of the University of Arizona. (Image credit: The University of Arizona)
“Eugene Sander is an iconic leader in the history of the University of Arizona,” said Suresh Garimella, 23rd President of the U of A. “His long service to the university left an indelible mark. The enduring strength of our agricultural programs and engagement throughout the state owes much to his decades of leadership as a faculty member and dean. Many here at the U of A remember him fondly and admire his generous service, including postponing retirement to lead the U of A as our 20th president. We extend our condolences and gratitude to President Sander’s family and loved ones.”
Sander was appointed president by the Arizona Board of Regents and began his tenure Aug. 1, 2011. He originally planned to retire earlier that year but postponed until a permanent replacement was found for Robert N. Shelton. Sander served until Ann Weaver Hart took over the role the following summer.
“I’m honored that the Arizona Board of Regents has asked me to accept the leadership of the university and continue President Robert Shelton’s excellent work,” Sander told the Board of Regents at the time of his appointment. “The University of Arizona is both a state and national treasure that has an excellent management team.”
Sander joined the U of A in 1987 as dean of the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. He also served as vice provost, as well as executive vice president and provost from July 2007 through April 2008 during the search for a permanent provost – and vice president for University Outreach from 2006 to 2009.
Before moving to Arizona, Sander was the deputy chancellor for biotechnology development, director of the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and head of the department of biochemistry and biophysics at the Texas A&M university system.
As vice provost and dean of the-then College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Sander oversaw 11 academic departments and two schools, with research stations and offices throughout Arizona. He concurrently served as the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and acting director of Cooperative Extension.
Sander received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the University of Minnesota prior to serving with the United States Air Force at the Wright Patterson Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories as assistant chief of biospecialties.
He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Brandeis University. The author of numerous publications, presentations and book chapters in the field of biochemical enzyme catalysis, he was research advisor for five graduate students and 18 postdoctoral fellows.
Sander was known as a dedicated and well-respected teacher and administrator, and a strong advocate for students.
In 2008, the UA Foundation established the Eugene G. Sander Endowed Faculty Fundraising Award, given annually to a faculty member who has shown fundraising leadership at the university. Together with his wife, Louise, Sander established an endowment for graduate students in the College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences. Community members who wish to support the endowment can contribute online through the foundation.
“Dr. Gene Sander devoted decades of his life to the University of Arizona , as a scientist, educator and ultimately its 20th president,” said JP Roczniak, president and CEO of the UA Foundation. “His steady leadership and deep commitment to the university’s mission left a lasting mark on our community. Gene loved the University of Arizona and always wanted the very best for it. As a dean, he was the consummate fundraiser, traveling to every corner of our great state to demonstrate the value and impact of our institution to everyone he met.”
In 2011, he was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Sander is survived by his wife, Louise Canfield-Sander, and two children, Jay and Kathy, both of whom are U of A alumni.
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SOURCE: https://news.arizona.edu/news/university-arizona-remembers-former-president-eugene-g-sander