The Business-Higher Education Forum Welcomes New Chair William H. Swanson and Vice Chair William E. Kirwan to its Leadership

New leaders will serve a one-year term and focus organizational priorities on college readiness, access, and success; and on increasing STEM graduates

Washington, DC (June 25, 2010) — The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) today during its semi-annual member meeting inducted its new leadership for 2010-2011. William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company, will lead the organization as its new chairman, and William E. Kirwan, II, "Brit", chancellor of the University System of Maryland, will serve as vice chairman. Swanson succeeds David J. Skorton, president of Cornell University, as BHEF chairman.

"BHEF is fortunate to have Bill Swanson and Brit Kirwan at the helm. They lead the organization at a pivotal time when BHEF's priorities around college readiness, access, and success, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education are in the spotlight on Capitol Hill and in the White House. Bill and Brit epitomize the dedicated and visionary leadership from both the higher education and corporate sectors that America needs if we are to ensure that our youth are prepared to contribute in an increasingly knowledge-based global economy," said BHEF Executive Director Brian K. Fitzgerald.

"I am honored to serve as chairman of BHEF and I want to congratulate and thank David Skorton for his tremendous leadership as chair of this organization," Swanson said. "This is a crucial moment for education in America, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in business, education and government, and with BHEF's talented staff, to help ensure that American students are fully prepared to achieve their full potential and meet our country’s needs in the exciting future to come."

Responding to his election as vice chair, Kirwan said, "With the linkage between higher education and economic prosperity firmly established, and with the federal and state governments increasingly committed to success in the knowledge economy, BHEF is uniquely suited to have a major impact on decisions made across the nation. As vice chairman I pledge to work closely with incoming chairman Bill Swanson, BHEF's outstanding professional staff, and all our partners in business and across the education spectrum to advance the critical goals of enhancing college readiness and success and strengthening America's leadership in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."

BHEF's new leaders continue to be heavily involved in the organization's two major initiatives. The College Readiness, Access, and Success Initiative (CRI) targets mainly underserved populations, particularly in science and math, harnessing the influence and resources of BHEF and its membership to address education issues spanning the grade school to graduate school pipeline. The Securing America's Leadership in STEM Initiative seeks to double the number of college graduates in STEM disciplines by 2015.

About William H. Swanson
William H. Swanson is chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company, a technology leader with 75,000 people worldwide. Mr. Swanson joined Raytheon in 1972 and has held a wide range of leadership positions. Before adding the responsibilities of chairman to his position in January 2004, he was CEO and president of the company.

In addition to serving as chairman of BHEF, he is co-chair of BHEF’s STEM Initiative. He is a member of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board, the Pepperdine University board of regents, the California Polytechnic State University President’s Cabinet, the Cal Poly Foundation board of directors, and vice chair of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation board of directors.

Mr. Swanson is a member of the board of governors' executive committee of the Aerospace Industries Association, a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a member of the National Defense Industrial Association, and a member of the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

A native of California, he graduated magna cum laude from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. His graduate work was performed in business administration at Golden Gate University. He has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Pepperdine University and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from California Polytechnic State University.

About William E. Kirwan, II
William E. Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland since 2002, is a nationally respected authority on critical issues shaping the higher education landscape. He served as president of Ohio State University for four years (1998-2002) and as president of the University of Maryland, College Park, for 10 years (1988-1998).

Currently, Dr. Kirwan is chair of the newly created College Board Advocacy & Policy Center Advisory Committee, which aims to increase the number of students who complete their college degrees through enhanced college preparation, affordability, and access. He also chairs the College Board’s Commission on Access, Admissions, and Success in Higher Education; chairs the National Research Council Board of Higher Education and Workforce; and co-chairs the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. He is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI)

In Maryland, Dr. Kirwan co-chairs the Governor's P-20 STEM Task Force and is a member of the Governor's International Advisory Board and the Maryland Economic Development Commission. He also is a member of several boards, including those of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Greater Baltimore Committee, and the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education.

Among his many honors and awards are the 2010 TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence and the 2009 Carnegie Corporation Leadership Award. In 2002, he was elected as a fellow to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Kirwan received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Kentucky and his master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.