President Bravman’s Leadership Continues
THE BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY Board of Trustees unanimously voted in October to extend President John Bravman’s contract through at least 2028. This is Bravman’s second extension; in April 2018, the board unanimously voted to extend his contract through June 2025.
Bravman became the University’s 17th president on July 1, 2010, after a long career at Stanford University, and by the end of his current contract will have the third-longest tenure among Bucknell presidents.
“The length of John’s tenure reflects the confidence and trust the Board of Trustees has in him to continue his exceptional leadership of the University,” says Board Chair Chris O’Brien ’80, P’18, P’20.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to continue serving Bucknell as its president, and I am thankful for both the board’s continued confidence in me and the extraordinarily talented students, faculty and staff who make this such a special place,” Bravman says.
Under Bravman, Bucknell has marked some of the most significant achievements in its history. His contract extension follows two record-breaking years in student enrollment, and comes on the heels of his leadership of the University’s successful efforts to remain open and continue its delivery of in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bravman has prioritized the University’s efforts to strengthen the campus culture and deepened its commitment to providing students with an exceptional academic experience that leads to a lifetime of personal and professional success. In 2018, he championed The Plan for Bucknell 2025, the University’s first strategic plan in 13 years. In support of Bucknell’s continued diversity, equity and inclusion goals, Bravman created the position of vice president for equity & inclusive excellence, who will lead the new Office for Equity & Inclusive Excellence.
“The length of John’s tenure reflects the confidence and trust the Board of Trustees has in him to continue his exceptional leadership of the University.”
On the same day the University concluded the WE DO Campaign, it officially established its third college — the Freeman College of Management— positioning Bucknell to build upon its distinctive combination of academic breadth in a highly personalized undergraduate living-learning environment.
“I look forward to working with both the board and the campus community on our strategic goals, which will further strengthen Bucknell’s place among leaders in higher education,” Bravman says.