Gerhard Casper
Encyclopedia
Gerhard Casper was the 9th president of Stanford University
from 1992-2000. He is currently the Peter and Helen Bing Professor in Undergraduate Education at Stanford. He is also a Professor of Law, a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford, and a Professor of Political Science
(by courtesy).
, Germany
and received degrees from the University of Hamburg
in 1961, from Yale University
in 1962, and from the University of Freiburg
in 1964. He served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science
at the University of California, Berkeley
from 1964 to 1966.
He joined the faculty of the University of Chicago
in 1966 where he was an Associate Professor of Law (and Political Science) until 1969. From 1969-1976, he was a full Professor of Law and Political Science, 1976-1980 Max Pam Professor of American and Foreign Law, from 1980-1987 William B. Graham Professor of Law, and from 1987-1992, the Graham Distinguished Service Professor of Law. He also served as Dean of the Law School from 1979 to 1987 and as Provost
from 1989 to 1992.
. His concerns as president ranged from resolution of the indirect cost dispute with the federal government to restoration of the campus after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
to innovation in curriculum, programs, and physical plant.
His Commission on Undergraduate Education was the first comprehensive examination of undergraduate education at Stanford in 25 years. The Commission and other faculty initiatives led to a new approach to the first two years of college. Stanford Introductory Studies (SIS), which includes the Freshman Seminars Program, Sophomore College, and Sophomore Seminars and Dialogues, provides small-group learning experiences that encourage mentoring relationships between students and faculty. In addition, the new residential Freshman/Sophomore College provides a setting to bring faculty and students closer together. Restraints on tuition increases and improvements in financial aid policies under Casper's leadership also reemphasized Stanford's commitment to founder Jane Stanford's promise to keep "open an avenue whereby the deserving and exceptional may rise through their own efforts." He also appointed Condoleezza Rice
as Stanford's provost, and the two made an effective team.
Recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty members who excel in both research and teaching was emphasized during Casper's presidency through Research Grants for Junior Faculty in the three schools that offer undergraduate degrees: Earth Sciences, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences. In addition, the university's bureaucracy was streamlined through internal reorganizations and a reduction in the number of vice presidential positions. The integration of the Stanford Alumni Association into the university in 1998 enhanced outreach to Stanford's alumni worldwide. Giving at Stanford, especially by alumni, increased sharply under Casper's leadership, with particular emphasis on fortifying Stanford's endowment and increasing participation through the creation of the Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education.
During Casper's presidency, the physical infrastructure of the campus improved substantially. Restoration of buildings damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
was completed, and the architectural value of new buildings was enhanced with competitions attracting some of the world's most gifted architects. With support from the Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, one of the oldest buildings on campus, Encina Hall, was restored and seismically reinforced. The 1893 Leland Stanford Junior Museum became part of an expanded complex, the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts. The reconstructed Bing Wing of Cecil H. Green Library opened in 1999, a decade after the severe damage inflicted by the Loma Prieta earthquake
closed its doors. A new Science and Engineering Quad was constructed thanks to a $77.5 million gift from David Packard
and Bill Hewlett. New graduate residences were added to the campus, and the university constructed a new Center for Clinical Sciences Research and the Arrillaga Alumni Center.
During his tenure as president, he also became involved in a movement that criticized college rankings surveys. In 1996, ASSU Vice-President Nicholas Thompson founded FUNC or "Forget U.S. News Coalition" as a show of support for Reed College
's decision not to participate in the U.S. News and World Report survey.
On 18 April 1997, Casper issued a letter critical of U.S. News and World Report college rankings titled "An alternative to the U.S. News and World Report College Survey" Casper's letter circulated among college presidents and led to a decision by Stanford that it will "submit objective data to U.S. News, but will withhold subjective reputational votes."
As a scholar, Casper has written and taught primarily in the fields of constitutional law
, constitutional history, comparative law
, and jurisprudence
.
In 2000, Casper stepped down as president to serve as the "Peter and Helen Bing Professor in Undergraduate Education." He holds honorary doctorates from Yale University
and Uppsala University
. He has been elected to membership in the American Law Institute
, the International Academy of Comparative Law, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
, the Order Pour le mérite for the Sciences and Arts, and the American Philosophical Society
. From 2000-2008, he served as a successor trustee of Yale University
. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Central European University
in Budapest
, Hungary
, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy in Berlin
.
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
from 1992-2000. He is currently the Peter and Helen Bing Professor in Undergraduate Education at Stanford. He is also a Professor of Law, a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford, and a Professor of Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
(by courtesy).
Background and early career
Casper was born in HamburgHamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and received degrees from the University of Hamburg
University of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg is a university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 1919 by Wilhelm Stern and others. It grew out of the previous Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen and the Kolonialinstitut as well as the Akademisches Gymnasium. There are around 38,000 students as of the start of...
in 1961, from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1962, and from the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
in 1964. He served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
from 1964 to 1966.
He joined the faculty of the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1966 where he was an Associate Professor of Law (and Political Science) until 1969. From 1969-1976, he was a full Professor of Law and Political Science, 1976-1980 Max Pam Professor of American and Foreign Law, from 1980-1987 William B. Graham Professor of Law, and from 1987-1992, the Graham Distinguished Service Professor of Law. He also served as Dean of the Law School from 1979 to 1987 and as Provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
from 1989 to 1992.
Stanford University
In 1992, Casper became the president of Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. His concerns as president ranged from resolution of the indirect cost dispute with the federal government to restoration of the campus after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
to innovation in curriculum, programs, and physical plant.
His Commission on Undergraduate Education was the first comprehensive examination of undergraduate education at Stanford in 25 years. The Commission and other faculty initiatives led to a new approach to the first two years of college. Stanford Introductory Studies (SIS), which includes the Freshman Seminars Program, Sophomore College, and Sophomore Seminars and Dialogues, provides small-group learning experiences that encourage mentoring relationships between students and faculty. In addition, the new residential Freshman/Sophomore College provides a setting to bring faculty and students closer together. Restraints on tuition increases and improvements in financial aid policies under Casper's leadership also reemphasized Stanford's commitment to founder Jane Stanford's promise to keep "open an avenue whereby the deserving and exceptional may rise through their own efforts." He also appointed Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
as Stanford's provost, and the two made an effective team.
Recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty members who excel in both research and teaching was emphasized during Casper's presidency through Research Grants for Junior Faculty in the three schools that offer undergraduate degrees: Earth Sciences, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences. In addition, the university's bureaucracy was streamlined through internal reorganizations and a reduction in the number of vice presidential positions. The integration of the Stanford Alumni Association into the university in 1998 enhanced outreach to Stanford's alumni worldwide. Giving at Stanford, especially by alumni, increased sharply under Casper's leadership, with particular emphasis on fortifying Stanford's endowment and increasing participation through the creation of the Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education.
During Casper's presidency, the physical infrastructure of the campus improved substantially. Restoration of buildings damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
was completed, and the architectural value of new buildings was enhanced with competitions attracting some of the world's most gifted architects. With support from the Stephen D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, one of the oldest buildings on campus, Encina Hall, was restored and seismically reinforced. The 1893 Leland Stanford Junior Museum became part of an expanded complex, the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts. The reconstructed Bing Wing of Cecil H. Green Library opened in 1999, a decade after the severe damage inflicted by the Loma Prieta earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
closed its doors. A new Science and Engineering Quad was constructed thanks to a $77.5 million gift from David Packard
David Packard
David Packard was a co-founder of Hewlett-Packard , serving as president , CEO , and Chairman of the Board . He served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1969–1971 during the Nixon administration...
and Bill Hewlett. New graduate residences were added to the campus, and the university constructed a new Center for Clinical Sciences Research and the Arrillaga Alumni Center.
During his tenure as president, he also became involved in a movement that criticized college rankings surveys. In 1996, ASSU Vice-President Nicholas Thompson founded FUNC or "Forget U.S. News Coalition" as a show of support for Reed College
Reed College
Reed College is a private, independent, liberal arts college located in southeast Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1908, Reed is a residential college with a campus located in Portland's Eastmoreland neighborhood, featuring architecture based on the Tudor-Gothic style, and a forested canyon wilderness...
's decision not to participate in the U.S. News and World Report survey.
On 18 April 1997, Casper issued a letter critical of U.S. News and World Report college rankings titled "An alternative to the U.S. News and World Report College Survey" Casper's letter circulated among college presidents and led to a decision by Stanford that it will "submit objective data to U.S. News, but will withhold subjective reputational votes."
As a scholar, Casper has written and taught primarily in the fields of constitutional law
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
, constitutional history, comparative law
Comparative law
Comparative law is the study of differences and similarities between the law of different countries. More specifically, it involves study of the different legal systems in existence in the world, including the common law, the civil law, socialist law, Islamic law, Hindu law, and Chinese law...
, and jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
.
In 2000, Casper stepped down as president to serve as the "Peter and Helen Bing Professor in Undergraduate Education." He holds honorary doctorates from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
. He has been elected to membership in the American Law Institute
American Law Institute
The American Law Institute was established in 1923 to promote the clarification and simplification of American common law and its adaptation to changing social needs. The ALI drafts, approves, and publishes Restatements of the Law, Principles of the Law, model codes, and other proposals for law...
, the International Academy of Comparative Law, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
, the Order Pour le mérite for the Sciences and Arts, and the American Philosophical Society
American Philosophical Society
The American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743, and located in Philadelphia, Pa., is an eminent scholarly organization of international reputation, that promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications,...
. From 2000-2008, he served as a successor trustee of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Central European University
Central European University
For other uses, see European University Central European University is a graduate-level, English-language university offering degrees in the social sciences, humanities, law, public policy, business management, environmental science, and mathematics...
in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy in Berlin
American Academy in Berlin
The American Academy in Berlin is a research and cultural institution in Berlin whose stated mission is to foster a greater understanding and dialogue between the people of the United States and the people of Germany.The American Academy was founded in September 1994 by a group of prominent...
.