Gary D. Russi
Oakland University President, 1995 to Present

Gary Russi has served as Oakland University's president since 1996, and he held the position of interim president from 1995 to 1996. Under his leadership, Oakland completed its first strategic plan, 1995 - 2005. The 10-year plan paved the way for Oakland's unprecedented growth — in stature and size — and is helping the university realize its institutional priorities.

In April 2005, Russi announced the university's first-ever comprehensive campaign, "Innovation and Opportunity - The Campaign for Oakland University," with a goal of raising $110 million by 2010. The  campaign, exceeded its goal and was successfully completed a year early, was designed to propel the university to the next level in providing a comprehensive liberal education, raising funds for professorships, scholarships, research endowments, academic programs and improved facilities.

Oakland University is a top-rated academic institution that is widely recognized as a university on the rise. With a steadily growing student population which reached nearly 19,000 in fall 2009, Russi has worked with the Oakland community to maintain the highest caliber of academic quality and to build an infrastructure that retains the best features of a small campus setting while offering a large array of programs and services.

With Russi’s support, OU has forged numerous partnerships and alliances in Michigan – and throughout the world. Together with business and industry, local health care organizations, corporations, and educational institutions, these collaborations are creating opportunities for achievement and growth.

Under Russi's leadership, Oakland has introduced more than 65 new academic degree programs since 1995 and full-time faculty has grown to more than 500. These new programs and faculty members have drawn a greater number - and an even more talented group - of students to the university. Average high school GPAs and ACT scores of incoming freshmen continue to rise.

Russi's commitment to experiential learning with flexible class schedules, high quality facilities and classroom technologies, and a wide array of student services and research opportunities is helping Oakland grow into a distinctive university focused on delivering a unique and progressive undergraduate and graduate education.

In addition, during Russi's tenure, Oakland has invested - often with state support - more than $190 million to enrich environments for teaching, researching, learning, and living. Capital improvements include a $43-million Science and Engineering Building, a $37-million Recreation and Athletics Center, the $17.5-million R. Hugh and Nancy Elliott Hall of Business and Information Technology, the $32-million Carlotta and Dennis Pawley Hall, $21-million new student apartments, the $65-million Human Health Building (scheduled to be completed in 2012), and numerous building and facilities upgrades. This trend will continue with the Campaign for Oakland University's goal of further capital enhancements to support the university's growth.

In 1998, Oakland University moved to NCAA Division I competition and adopted a new mascot identity, the Golden Grizzlies. Recognized as a conference leader in student-athlete graduation rates, Oakland has earned 18 regular season Summit League titles (formerly Mid-Continent Conference) and 38 league titles in its first 11 years of Division I competition.

Administrative experience
Russi joined Oakland University in 1993 as vice president for Academic Affairs where he was responsible for all academic programs, academic support services, research and several university wide administrative services. In 1995 he assumed the role of interim president. He held both positions until he was named president in 1996. Russi is also a professor of Health Sciences.

Prior to joining Oakland, Russi was vice president for research and strategic planning at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he served as the university's chief research administrator and promoted institutional direction and support for faculty research endeavors. While there he was instrumental in focusing university staff resources and budgets to strengthen faculty research. Russi was also very involved there, as he is at Oakland, in supporting and promoting undergraduate student research projects. As vice president for research and strategic planning, Russi also led and managed the application of state-of-the-art information technology in the university's administrative, educational and research activities.

Russi's administrative career at Drake University began in 1973 as a project coordinator in development and fund raising where he authored, co-authored and/or managed 42 funded grant or contract projects ranging from $200 to $900,000. From there he progressed through a variety of administrative positions, including department chair for the Clinical Externship Program, director of university planning, vice provost for planning and budgeting, and executive assistant to the president.

Russi participated in the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program in Academic Administration from 1982-1983 where he served as special assistant to the executive vice president and provost of the University of Nebraska.

Teaching and research
Russi's teaching and research experience began at Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he was an undergraduate research assistant in chemistry from 1967-1969. His professional teaching and research career began in 1969 when he joined Kansas University as a teaching/research assistant in pharmacology and toxicology. During his tenure at Drake University he held the positions of assistant professor, associate professor and professor of pharmacology and toxicology.

From 1973 to 1984, Russi published 18 abstracts and articles in professional journals. Between 1970 and 2010, he co-authored 11 scientific articles, dissertations and abstracts. And from 1973 to 1991, he completed 13 invited scientific book reviews.

Awards and community service
Russi has achieved numerous honors and awards for his many achievements, including the Executive of the Year Award, Mayor’s Business Council, City of Rochester Hills (2008), Quality People, Quality County Award, Oakland County (2008, 2010), Lifetime Achievement Award from Sunrise Pinnacle Awards (2008), Honorary Alumni Award (2007) from Oakland University, Who’s Who in Education, Crain’s Detroit (2005), State of Michigan Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth (2004), George Wibby Athletic Award from Oakland University (2002), Mentor for the American Council on Education Academic Administrator Fellow (2000), Distinguished Alumni Award from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (1998), Honorary Member of Golden Key National Honour Society at Oakland University (1993 to present), Merck Research Award at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (1969) and Rho Chi Society Undergraduate Research Award at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (1969).

Russi currently serves as co-chair of the Oakland County Business Roundtable and vice chair of Oakland County Automation Alley. He is a member of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and the Detroit Renaissance Board of Directors, and serves on the Board of the Oakland County Health Initiative.

Educational background
Russi earned his bachelor of science degree in pharmacology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and his doctor of philosophy degree in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Kansas.