UC Regents Confirm Howard Gilman as UCI Chancellor

The UC Board of Regents confirmed Howard Gilman as UC Irvine’s chancellor today.

Gilman, who was serving as interim chancellor, will be paid about $485,000 annually. He replaced Michael Drake, who resigned in June to become president of Ohio State University.

Gilman, a professor of political science, history and law, was the first in his family to go to college. “Howard Gillman has all that it takes -- a record of leadership, scholarship and fundraising skills -- to lead this vital campus,” said UC President Janet Napolitano, who announced Sept. 4 that Gillman was her choice.

“UCI faculty members serve students and the larger community through outstanding teaching, research and public service,” Napolitano said. “And its medical center meets health needs day in and day out.” More than 400 people applied for the job.

“I am honored and humbled by this vote of confidence in me, to lead UC Irvine as its sixth chancellor,” Gillman told the Board of Regents. “There is no greater force for the advancement of human progress and enlightenment than the modern research university, and no more important institution serving our democracy than public research universities.”

Gillman predicted the university’s esteem would grow.

“My experience this past year convinced me that UCI is poised to rise higher in the ranks of those global institutions of higher education whose preeminence is undisputed because they are viewed as making the very best and most important contributions to knowledge creation, education, arts and culture, clinical and professional practice, and human well-being,” he said. “Over the coming months I will be working with the members of our community to forge a path toward increased excellence and impact.”

Gilman grew up in the San Fernando Valley and earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at UCLA. His wife, Ellen Ruskin-Gillman has a doctorate from UCLA as well. They have two children.

Gillman was dean of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences from 2007 to 2012 and, later, named provost.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy UCI.