William Kirwan | |
|---|---|
 Kirwan in 2012. | |
| Chancellor of University System of Maryland | |
| In office August 1, 2002 – June 30, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Donald N. Langenberg |
| Succeeded by | Robert Caret |
| 12th President of Ohio State University | |
| In office July 1, 1998 – June 30, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | John Richard Sisson |
| Succeeded by | Edward H. Jennings |
| President of the University of Maryland, College Park | |
| In office February 1, 1989 – June 30, 1998 Acting: August 1, 1988–February 1, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | John Brooks Slaughter (chancellor) |
| Succeeded by | Gregory L. Geoffroy |
| Acting Chancellor of the University of Maryland, College Park | |
| In office August 1982 – November 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Gluckstern |
| Succeeded by | John Brooks Slaughter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William English Kirwan April 14, 1938 Louisville, Kentucky |
| Spouse |
Patricia Harper (m. 1960) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
|
| Alma mater | University of Kentucky Rutgers University |
| Profession | Professor, university administrator, academic |
| Signature |  |
William English "Brit" Kirwan (born April 14, 1938) is an American university administrator and mathematician who is chancellor emeritus of the University System of Maryland (USM) and professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Maryland, College Park. Most recently, Kirwan served as chancellor of USM from 2002 to 2015. Previously, Kirwan worked at the University of Maryland, College Park from the 1960s to 1990s as a professor, administrator, and eventually president and was president of the Ohio State University from 1998 to 2002.
A native of Kentucky, Kirwan completed three degrees in mathematics, attending the University of Kentucky for his bachelor's degree and Rutgers University for his master's and doctorate degrees. Beginning in 1964, Kirwan was a mathematics professor at Maryland. After over 15 years on the faculty, including four years as head of the mathematics department, Kirwan joined Maryland's administration, beginning as chief academic officer in 1981. Kirwan had two stints as the interim president of the university in 1982 and 1988 before being formally elected by the board of regents as president in 1989, a position he would hold before leaving to become president of Ohio State University in 1998. Kirwan returned to Maryland in 2002 to serve as chancellor of the USM before retiring in 2015.
Kirwan also chaired the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics from 2007 to 2016. During his presidency, the NCAA implemented a recommendation from the Knight Commission to create financial incentives for member schools to improve student-athlete academic performance.