New president to take over Howard University

Sidney A. Ribeau, Ph.D., has been named President of Howard University, one of 48 private doctoral/research intensive universities in the United States. He was the unanimous choice of the University's Trustees. Ribeau will become the 16th president of the nation's premier historically black institution of higher learning in August. Ribeau has been President of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, for 13 years. There, he initiated a number of successful, innovative, values-based initiatives that provide students with an academic environment that develops culturally literate, technologically sophisticated, productive citizens.

Ribeau upgraded Bowling Green's communications and computing technology and encouraged collaboration with other institutions to increase operational and cost efficiencies. He was recognized for its residential learning communities, values-based education and innovative graduate programs. Bowling Green offers programs in more than 270 academic and professional fields. About 21,000 students are enrolled.

"I am excited by the opportunity to serve this historic institution," said Ribeau. "Howard is a remarkable university, a truly international university and one that has made significant contributions not only in this country but around the world, training principally African Americans for global leadership roles in America and the world."

"He is a charismatic executive who works effectively inside and outside the institution he heads," said Gen. Colin L. Powell, US Army (Ret.), who with Richard D. Parsons, Chairman of the Board of Time Warner, Inc., co-chaired the Howard University Search Committee.

Ribeau's appointment came after an eight-month, nationwide search to replace the University's current President, H. Patrick Swygert, who last Spring announced his plans to retire in June 2008 after 13 years of service to the University. The presidential search was conducted by Heidrick & Struggles, Inc, an international executive search firm.