Philip E. Austin

Philip E. Austin (born March 25, 1942)

Early life and career Austin was born on March 25, 1942, in Fargo, North Dakota.

He attended North Dakota State University, where he earned his B.S. degree in 1964 and his M.S. degree in 1966, both in agricultural economics. He was an honored member of the Sigma Chi fraternity on campus, where his life efforts were later credited with the Significant Sig recognition award. He went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University in 1969.

Austin served in the United States Army from 1969 through 1971 as an economist stationed at the US military headquarters in Saigon, Vietnam. He attained the rank of captain and received the Bronze Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

He subsequently served as an economist in the director's office of the US Office of Management and Budget from 1971 to 1974. From 1974 to 1977, he was deputy assistant secretary of education in the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, including a stint as acting assistant secretary of education. He was one of a three-person team invited by the Danish government to evaluate Denmark's educational programs and policies.

Austin subsequently transitioned to academic administration, serving as director of the interdisciplinary doctoral program in public policy at George Washington University. From 1978 to 1984, he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Baruch College.

Chancellor of the University of Alabama System From 1989 to 1996, Austin served as chancellor of the University of Alabama System, which included campuses in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville. The 21st Century UConn program also funded construction of a new $60 million research tower at UConn Health, which included more than thirty laboratories. Although cost overruns and code violations troubled this massive construction campaign, the results were transformative.

In 2004, Austin concluded a capital campaign that raised $470 million, significantly higher than its $300 million goal. This unprecedented sum included a $23 million naming gift from Raymond and Carol Neag to the Neag School of Education—the largest gift ever made to a public university in New England.

Following his departure, Austin was recipient of several university honors. The Philip E. Austin Building (formerly the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Building) was named in his honor in 2012. The Philip E. Austin Endowed Chair in public policy at UConn was created in his honor. He was one of only five UConn presidents to be designated a president emeritus.

From July 2011 through May 2012, Austin served as UConn Health's interim vice president for health affairs.

Public service Austin chaired the board of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and served as president of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). He served on the boards of Connecticut United for Research Excellence, the Governor's Council on Economic Competitiveness and Technology, and the MetroHartford Alliance. He also served on the boards of several corporations, including the First Interstate Bank of Fort Collins, the Alabama Power Company, the American Cast Iron Pipe Company, and Fleet Bank.

Personal life After stepping down as UConn president, Austin lived in West Hartford. He is divorced with two adult sons.