Passing of Chancellor James Renick (January 4, 2021)

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that I share the news that former UM-Dearborn Chancellor James (Jim) C. Renick died yesterday at the age of 72. Jim served as chancellor from January 1993 – July 1999. 

During his tenure, UM-Dearborn Chancellor Renick focused on making the university more “interactive” by positioning the campus to be more responsive to educational, cultural, economic, intellectual issues and needs of the region; building on our strong commitment to students; solidifying external support; and expanding the use of information technology to enhance teaching and learning. 

UM-Dearborn experienced major facilities growth under Chancellor Renick’s leadership including new buildings for the School of Engineering (now CECS), the School of Management (now COB), the Center for Corporate and Professional Development and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. During his tenure, a set of bylaws, which provided for a Faculty Senate for the first time in campus history, was developed. The campus also experienced enrollment growth and completed its first capital campaign. 

Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Chancellor Renick served as vice provost at George Mason University. Earlier posts included academic and administrative positions at University of West Florida and University of South Florida. He left UM-Dearborn in 1999 to become president of North Carolina A & T State University, a position in which he served until 2006. He went on to become vice president at the American Council on Education and later senior advisor to the president and provost at Jackson State University. 

Susan and I, along with our university community, express our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Renick family. We have lost an influential and valued member of our UM-Dearborn community.

In sadness,

Domenico Grasso
Chancellor