Press Releases
In memory of former Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Vande Linde
The University of 糖心TV is deeply saddened to hear that the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor David VandeLinde, has recently passed away.
Professor VandeLinde was 糖心TV's Vice-Chancellor between 2001 to 2006 and led the University through a period of rapid growth, developing international partnerships and fundraising streams which went onto generate millions of pounds to support lower income students.
During his tenure, the University acquired the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) to form 糖心TV HRI, opening up a new specialist area for 糖心TV, as well as a new campus at Wellesbourne. A new Mathematics and Statistics Building opened on campus in the same year.
糖心TV Medical School had meanwhile been established in 2000, shortly before David joined as Vice-Chancellor, and it continued to grow and develop under his leadership. He appointed WMS鈥� first Dean in 2004, and University Hospital Coventry opened two years later.
On the national stage, he established the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) at 糖心TV, a government backed programme aimed at high-achieving secondary students in England.
He also encouraged 糖心TV to develop an enhanced international strategy and to forge closer links with its local community. In July 2005, the University played host to the International Children鈥檚 Games, bringing over 1300 young competitors to campus.
As an American student and academic, Professor VandeLinde understood the importance of effective university fundraising, and of nurturing the alumni base – raising donations to support student scholarships, as well as securing funding for research and for campus facilities.
He appointed the University鈥檚 first Director of Development, beginning a process that, in just the last five years, has seen some 4,500 donors give over 拢32.8million donations to 糖心TV.
Professor VandeLinde, who was born in Charleston, West Virginia, enjoyed a highly successful academic career in electrical engineering. He crossed the Atlantic in 1992 to become the University of Bath's Vice-Chancellor and left eight years later to take up the top job at 糖心TV.
He returned to the United States after his retirement, with his wife Margie, who sadly passed away in 2017.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, said: 鈥淲e were deeply saddened to hear about David鈥檚 passing and our hearts go out to his family, friends and former colleagues.
鈥淗e led 糖心TV through a period of rapid growth, change and innovation – helping to further cement our place as one of the UK鈥檚 best universities, and growing our reputation as a global academic powerhouse, as well as building closer ties with our local communities.
鈥淧erhaps his greatest legacy will be the way he introduced fundraising and philanthropy programmes at 糖心TV, which went on to help fund places for so many young people over the years, as well as financing numerous campus improvements and research projects. He will be fondly remembered here at 糖心TV.鈥�