Suresh Garimella
27th President of the University of Vermont
Assumed office
July 1, 2019
Preceded byTom Sullivan
Personal details
Born1964 or 1965
Bhopal, India
EducationIndian Institute of Technology Madras (BS)
Ohio State University (MS)
University of California, Berkeley (PhD)

Suresh Garimella (/sˈɛhɛʃ/) is an Indian American mechanical engineer and university administrator. He is the current and 27th president of the University of Vermont. Before assuming the presidency in 2019, Garimella was executive vice president for research and partnerships at the Purdue University College of Engineering at Purdue University.

Early life and education

Garimella was born in Bhopal, India. His parents did not have a college education and insisted on their children's success in school.[1] As a child, he enjoyed reading, finishing many classics by the age of 12.[1]

In 1985, he earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from IIT Madras, which he has described as "much more intense than MIT."[1][2] He then received an M.S. from Ohio State University in 1986, followed by a PhD from University of California, Berkeley in 1989; both also in mechanical engineering.[2][3]

Career

Purdue University

At the Purdue University College of Engineering, Garimella was executive vice president for research and partnerships and the Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

In 2018, Garimella was appointed as a member of the National Science Board by the Trump Administration.[4] He was named a Jefferson Science Fellow by the United States Department of State in 2010.[4] He has also was a Science Advisor in the International Energy Agency.[5]

University of Vermont

Since July 1, 2019, Garimella has been the president of the University of Vermont.[6] Under his tenure, the university has experienced the largest first-year class in its history and record applications, reaching more than 30,000 in 2022.[7] This has coincided with a 50 percent increase in research funding to the university since the start of his tenure, reaching $250 million, an all-time high.[8] However, he has been criticized for his public relations with students and faculty. His plan to terminate select humanities programs led to the creation of UVM United Against the Cuts, where over 3,000 people voiced their lack of confidence.[9] His administration has faced pushback for its response to a Department of Education investigation into antisemitism on campus,[10][11] and over the cancellation of a planned guest lecture by Palestinian author Mohammed El-Kurd.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c Edgar, Chelsea. "Suresh Garimella Has Helped UVM Emerge Stronger From the Pandemic. But Who Is He, Anyway?". Seven Days. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. ^ a b "Professor Suresh Garimella, PhD - Editorial Board - Energy Conversion and Management - Journal - Elsevier". Elsevier. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  3. ^ "Suresh V. Garimella". Cooling Technology Research Center. Purdue University School of Mechanical Engineering. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Suresh V. Garimella | NSF - National Science Foundation". www.nsf.gov. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  5. ^ "JSF - Suresh Garimella". sites.nationalacademies.org. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  6. ^ "Suresh Garimella to Become Next University of Vermont President". www.uvm.edu. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  7. ^ "Applications at UVM Set All-Time Record". The University of Vermont. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  8. ^ "UVM Research Funding Tops $250 Million". The University of Vermont. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  9. ^ Ruehsen, Ella (2021-04-13). "Thousands voice no confidence in Garimella administration as grievances mount". The Vermont Cynic. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  10. ^ D'Auria, Peter (2022-09-15). "President pushes back on allegations of antisemitism at University of Vermont". VTDigger. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  11. ^ Edgar, Chelsea. "UVM President Denies Allegations of Antisemitism on Campus". Seven Days. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  12. ^ Hellman, Rachel. "Records Show UVM Professors Questioned Decision to Nix Palestinian Writer's Appearance". Seven Days. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
Categories