Outgoing Tufts President Leaves Legacy of Excellence in Teaching and Research, While Strengthening Academic, International and Fiscal Initiatives

Medford/Somerville [05.09.01] -- Since 1992, John A. DiBiaggio has guided Tufts University as a growing world-class institution excelling in both teaching and research. DiBiaggio, who will step down at the end of August, has also secured a bright fiscal future for Tufts.

   DiBiaggio, a Detroit native and son of Italian immigrant parents, is credited with strengthening the university's academic and financial position. He is also recognized for building a stronger sense of community among the schools on Tufts' three Massachusetts campuses and its European campus in Talloires, France.

   Under DiBiaggio's leadership, Tufts' endowment has nearly tripled--from $180 million to nearly $600 million--and there are nearly five times the number of endowed chairs since his arrival. The University has exceeded its original $400 million capital campaign and is poised to surpass its revised goal of $600 million by 2002. DiBiaggio also helped secure a $20 million gift, the largest donation in Tufts' history.

   "Tufts University's reputation for being a leading international university has grown significantly during John's presidency, and we are in the best fiscal and operational condition in our history," said Nathan Gantcher, chairman of the Board of Trustees. "The quality of our faculty, researchers and staff, and the credentials of our students are also at an all-time high."

   Tufts' undergraduate program is now among the most selective in the country. The number of applicants increased by more than 70 percent in just the past five years, while the scores, grades and rank of the incoming freshmen continue to set new records.

   The University's graduate and professional schools in medicine, biomedical sciences, dentistry, nutrition, international relations and veterinary medicine stand alongside the country's most prestigious programs. This past year, research undertaken by Tufts and its affiliated hospitals exceeded $120 million.

   All four campuses continue growing. Newly (and soon-to-be) completed multimillion-dollar facilities, range from the Jaharis Family Biomedical Nutrition Research Center in Boston and the Bernice Barbour Wildlife Medicine Building in Grafton to Dowling Hall, home of an all-in-one student services center, and the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts.

   DiBiaggio says he joined Tufts because of its commitment to high-quality teaching, scholarship and research, its global perspective and its dedication to public service and active citizenship.

   "I'm proud to have served Tufts when many members of our community have made national and international headlines as researchers, educators, business and government leaders, entrepreneurs and influential policymakers. I am also pleased that my leadership helped Tufts grow and continue to achieve scholarly prominence while maintaining and strengthening its roots in teaching," he said.