L. Dennis Smith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
L. Dennis Smith | |
|---|---|
| 5th President of the University of Nebraska | |
| In office March 1, 1994 – June 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Martin Massengale |
| Succeeded by | James B. Milliken |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 18, 1938 Muncie, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | March 29, 2021 (aged 83) Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Indiana University (B.A., Ph.D) |
L. Dennis Smith (January 18, 1938 – March 29, 2021)[1] was an American scientist and academic administrator who served as the president of the University of Nebraska system from March 1, 1994, to June 2004.[2]
Early on in his career, Smith was an aspiring jazz musician, majoring at Indiana University for his first three years in music, playing the trumpet. He was then advised to leave the music track and shift to music education. Instead, he began studying science.[3] Smith earned a B.A. in zoology and chemistry and a Ph.D. in experimental embryology from Indiana University.
Career
Smith held a variety of roles in the field of science, including president emeritus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, emeritus professor in NU's School of Biological Sciences, embryology instructor at Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, staff scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory, head of Purdue University's department of biological sciences, and executive vice chancellor and acting chancellor of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of California–Irvine.
Smith has published almost 100 research papers and numerous abstracts in areas such as cell biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
As well as taking a role in the American Association for Higher Education, the American Association for State Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education and the Association of American Universities, Smith has served on the following boards: the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, the Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry.[4] He also enabled and supported the establishment of the Nebraska Bioethics Advisory Commission.