Henry Bienen

Henry Samuel Bienen, born on May 5, 1939, is an accomplished American academic and administrator, best known for his role as the 15th president of Northwestern University, a position he held from January 1, 1995, until August 31, 2009. Under his leadership, Northwestern experienced significant growth in academic reputation, financial strength, and athletic success.

Bienen earned his bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1960 and subsequently obtained both a master's degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Before his presidency at Northwestern, he was a distinguished professor and dean at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, where he focused on political science and international affairs.123

During his tenure at Northwestern, Bienen oversaw a dramatic increase in undergraduate applications, a substantial rise in the university's endowment, and the establishment of numerous academic programs and facilities. His administration was marked by a commitment to enhancing undergraduate research opportunities and improving athletic facilities, leading to notable successes in various sports.123

After retiring from Northwestern, Bienen served as president of the Poetry Foundation from 2015 until 2020. He remains active in various academic and civic organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.124