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Arizona’s Flagship School Became a Respected National University under President Robert C. Robbins
While public attention rightly has focused in recent months on the University of Arizona’s unexpected budget deficit, a temporary financial challenge should not overshadow the transformative long-term advancements President Robert C. Robbins has implemented over his seven-year tenure.
Perspective and experience matter. Colleges and universities across the country face unprecedented financial and societal challenges. The U of A is not alone. Yet while other institutions struggle to survive, the U of A under President Robbins has flourished – and will continue to do so for years to come because of his leadership. In fact, the university’s overall strong financial position has allowed it to make generational investments in students, faculty and facilities to create a world-class campus of which all Arizonans should be proud.
Instead of vilifying President Robbins, we should be thanking him for the totality of his accomplishments in service of higher education in Arizona. President Robbins has raised more money than any president in U of A history – more than $2 billion. Those donations included $50 million from Ken Coit for the School of Pharmacy and $25 million for the W.A. Franke Honors College. In all, 10 new major campus buildings have arisen during President Robbins’ tenure, creating a desirable, modern destination for the brightest and most promising students and faculty.
The University of Arizona has produced the most Fulbright scholars of any U.S university. Exceptional faculty and leadership hires, including 13 deans, have yielded five consecutive record years for research spending. Student applications for enrollment rose to a record 53,187 in 2023, leading to the largest, most diverse and accomplished class in the university’s history. Average GPA for the incoming class rose to a record 3.58. President Robbins has built an environment for success that has helped to power Arizona’s economy with $8.3 billion in direct impacts – bringing positive national recognition to, and interest in, the state. That attention includes national fan bases for some of the best sports teams anywhere. U of A football is coming off its best season in nearly three decades, with a victory at the Alamo Bowl. Men’s basketball dominated the Pac-12 for the second straight year. Multiple conference titles, including baseball and men’s tennis, and NCAA tournament appearances were earned this spring. President Robbins led the strategic, successful move to the Big 12, to be completed this summer.
As the Board of Regents searches the nation for a possible successor to President Robbins, it must acknowledge and celebrate the singular success of his time at the university. Even the university’s financial shortfall has shrunk to just 2% – and falling – of the U of A’s annual budget under his action and direction. That’s emblematic of his leadership: don’t make excuses, just make things better. All Arizonans are better off because of President Robbins’ transformative leadership at the University of Arizona.
