Frances Bronet Named New Provost at Illinois Institute of Technology
Distinguished Professor at the University of Oregon to Join IIT on July 1, 2015
Frances Bronet, distinguished professor and dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon since 2005, has been chosen to succeed Alan W. Cramb as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Cramb, the university’s current provost, will become IIT’s ninth president on August 1, 2015.
Bronet, who currently holds the position of acting provost at the University of Oregon, is a distinguished scholar, teacher, and researcher as well as an experienced administrator. “The entire search committee was most impressed with Frances’s qualifications and accomplishments,” says Fred Hickernell, chair of the committee and chair of the applied mathematics department. “She will bring a fresh perspective to our university as we continue to move forward in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Bronet earned her Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Architecture, and Bachelor of Engineering degrees from McGill University. Her Master of Science in Architecture is from Columbia University.
“Frances has what it takes to be a great partner with IIT’s incoming president,” says John L. Anderson, the university’s current president. “She has an innovative spirit, a creative mindset, an appreciation of interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong record of research. I am pleased that we were able to attract her to our institution.”
“Frances is a very positive addition to our leadership team and will enable IIT to continue and even accelerate its fast pace of improvement,” says Alan Cramb. “I look forward to our collaboration as she becomes our chief academic officer and responsible for planning and achieving our university’s vision, mission, and its long-term goals and objectives.”
Bronet began her career as a faculty member in the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1985. She was first named associate dean of architecture in 1994, held the position of acting dean, and served as professor of architecture from 2002–2005. Her collaborations, including installation projects, small-scale video works, and course and curriculum development, reach across such varied disciplines as architecture, engineering, art, product design, landscape architecture, dance, music, science and technology studies, and the humanities. She is past president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and incoming chancellor of the ACSA College of Distinguished Professors (2016). Several of her projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as well as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and in both 2011 and 2014 she was cited among the (20 and 30) most admired educators by DesignIntelligence.
“I’m honored and excited to join the talented IIT community on its inspiring trajectory,” says Bronet. “The aspirations of the students, faculty, and staff to make a real difference in the world were central to my decision. I look forward to working with everyone at IIT to make those ambitions a reality.” She will start work at IIT on July 1, 2015 and assume her duties as provost on August 1.
About Illinois Institute of Technology
Founded in 1890, Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, technology-focused, research university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, architecture, business, design, human sciences, applied technology, and law. One of 21 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities (AITU), IIT is recognized for providing exceptional preparation for professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Among its notable graduates are Martin Cooper, known as the father of the cell phone, and Marvin Camras, who pioneered magnetic tape recording.
