NYU Names Dr. Michael C. Alfano as Executive Vice President
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On June 16, 2006, New York University President John Sexton named Michael C. Alfano, DMD, PhD, Dean of NYU’s College of Dentistry since 1998, to the post of Executive Vice President of NYU. As Executive Vice President, he oversees the University’s budget and finance operations, the human relations division, and the real estate, planning, and construction operations. Dr. Alfano, whose career has included significant posts in both academics and business, started in the new position on July 17, 2006. Dr. Alfano succeeded Jacob Lew, who had served as the University’s Executive Vice President since 2001. Mr. Lew left NYU to take a position in the private sector. In appointing Dr. Alfano to the position, Dr. Sexton said, “I am very pleased that Michael Alfano, who has had an outstanding record of achievement as Dean of NYU’s College of Dentistry after a career that included impressive responsibilities in both academe and the private sector, has agreed to accept my request that he assume the assignment of Executive Vice President. As Dean, he has been an extraordinary leader: admissions has become more selective and competitive; new roles for dentists and new models for healthcare education have been embraced; dental care for poor New Yorkers has been expanded; fundraising has been unprecedented, leading to the creation of important new facilities; and the College of Dentistry has emerged as an important center for healthcare research. Between his background, his familiarity with NYU, his commitment to the University’s academic advancement, and his talent for entrepreneurship and collegiality, it would have been all but impossible to find a better candidate for this position than Mike.” President Sexton continued, “The University is very fortunate to be able to turn to such a person, because the departure of Jack Lew leaves a large hole to be filled in the NYU community. Jack — who came to NYU from President Clinton’s cabinet, where he was Director of the Office of Management and Budget — has brought extraordinary integrity, experience, and leadership to his post over these past five years. He was a key architect in setting and achieving our goals and in helping us successfully confront our challenges, and his legacy will be felt for many years. “On behalf of the entire NYU community, I would like to thank both Jack and Mike for the service they have given and continue to give NYU, and congratulate them on their new posts.” Dr. Michael C. Alfano’s Message to the NYUCD/NYUCN Community on Becoming Executive Vice President of NYU“For many years, I have admired the compelling vision, the high integrity, and the personal warmth of John Sexton, first as Dean of the Law School, and now as President of NYU. Therefore, I feel highly privileged to accept his invitation to join his administration. The position of Executive Vice President is focused squarely on the internal workings of NYU with responsibilities for finance, budget, human resources, real estate, construction, planning and many other infrastructure services. I trust my experience, which includes 16 years in industry and 16 years in academe, will be useful in forging the connections between NYU’s primary academic mission and its secondary but essential business functions. “Many of you have heard me say in recent times that, ‘Great academic institutions are built by great economic strengths, not the other way around.’ I often follow this theorem with a corollary that states, ‘The IQ of a dean at a school with money is perceived to be 75 points higher than a dean at a school that is poor!’ Indeed, one additional key to the recent formidable success of NYUCD/CN has been its financial health. Accordingly, I believe that I can help President Sexton achieve his formidable goals for NYU by ensuring that the infrastructure of the University — both physical and human — is run as efficiently and effectively as possible, and that the economics of our University are sound and strong. In this manner, NYU can become the place where faculty, students and staff are empowered to achieve more than they can at any other institution on earth. “I thank you most sincerely for the privilege and high honor to have served as your leader.” |
