Career at the University of Maryland
Destler joined the University of Maryland,College Park in 1972 as a research associate and subsequently became a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Over 34 years,he rose through the academic and administrative ranks,serving as department chair,dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering (1994–1999),interim vice president for university advancement,vice president for research,and dean of the graduate school (1999–2001). From 2001 to 2007,he served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. [2]
Research
Destler's research specialized in high-power microwave sources and advanced accelerator technologies. He received more than $40 million in grants and contracts throughout his career,published numerous journal articles and book chapters,and earned awards for his teaching. [2]
Gemstone Honors Program
As dean of the engineering school,Destler founded the Gemstone Honors Program in 1995,a unique multidisciplinary four-year research program for undergraduate honors students of all majors. Teams of 10–15 students design,direct,and conduct research addressing major societal problems,culminating in a team thesis reviewed by academic,corporate,and governmental representatives. [3] The program celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020 and remains a nationally recognized model for undergraduate research. [4]
Other achievements at Maryland
Destler led a faculty team in creating a cross-disciplinary master's degree program in telecommunications and originated the Hinman CEOs Program,the nation's first living-learning entrepreneurship initiative for undergraduate students. [5] As provost,he focused on increasing student retention,leading to a rise in the graduation rate from 62 percent to 80 percent over five years. During his term as graduate school dean,student applications increased by more than 20 percent,and research funding rose by more than 30 percent. As interim vice president for advancement,Destler secured a $25 million gift from Comcast Corporation for naming rights supporting the construction of the Comcast Center sports arena. [2]
The University of Maryland established the William W. Destler Scholarship in Engineering in his honor,providing assistance to outstanding engineering students. [6]
Presidency of RIT (2007–2017)
On March 23,2007,the RIT Board of Trustees selected Destler from among two finalists and a pool of nearly 100 candidates to become the university's ninth president. He succeeded Albert J. Simone,who had served as president since 1992. Destler assumed the presidency on July 1,2007,articulating a vision to transform RIT into the nation's first "Innovation University." [7]
Imagine RIT
Destler conceived the idea for Imagine RIT:Innovation and Creativity Festival before he officially started at RIT,describing his vision during an open forum as a presidential candidate. The first festival was held on May 3,2008,and drew more than 17,500 visitors. By its tenth anniversary in 2017,the free,campus-wide event was attracting approximately 35,000 visitors annually to see nearly 400 interactive exhibits showcasing student,faculty,and staff creativity and innovation. [8] Destler described the festival as having become just as important internally as externally,forcing and encouraging collaboration across disciplines. [9]
Academic and institutional growth
During Destler's presidency,the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education reclassified RIT as a doctoral university,reflecting the rapid increase in the number of Ph.D. degrees the university grants each year. Other major accomplishments included:
- Establishment of the College of Health Sciences and Technology in 2011,RIT's ninth college,created through a strategic alliance with Rochester General Health System [10]
- Opening of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies in 2010,permanently archiving the work of international designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli
- Creation of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability,which developed the world's first Ph.D. program focused on sustainable production
- Establishment of one of the first university departments dedicated to computing security
- Opening of RIT Dubai in 2008 and expansion of RIT Croatia to include a campus in Zagreb
- Construction of the Gene Polisseni Center,a $38 million ice arena opened in 2014
- Opening of Global Village,a $57 million international-themed retail and residential complex in 2010
- Record enrollment levels,improved selectivity and diversity,and research awards reaching $62 million annually [11]
Calendar conversion
In 2010,Destler approved the transition from a quarter system to a semester system,which took effect in 2013. The decision was supported by voting members of faculty and staff in most colleges,Staff Council,and the RIT Student Government,though 64% of students participating in an online poll favored remaining on the quarter system. [12] [13]
Sustainability initiatives
Destler championed sustainability on campus. During his tenure,RIT opened three LEED-certified buildings,including the first building in Monroe County to achieve LEED Platinum certification (the University Services Center in 2009) and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability building in 2013. In 2015,RIT opened a 2-megawatt solar energy farm with 6,138 photovoltaic panels as a step toward carbon neutrality. [14]
Together with his spouse,Rebecca Johnson,Destler founded the Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program in 2010,providing full-tuition scholarships to qualifying graduates of the Rochester City School District and Rochester charter schools. By 2023,the program had supported more than 270 students. [15] RIT also partnered with Uncommon Schools to develop a charter high school in Rochester. [16]
Student engagement
Destler was known for prioritizing direct engagement with students,regularly eating lunch with them,attending club events,maintaining Facebook connections with thousands of students,delivering his annual commencement speech in American Sign Language,and rarely missing a hockey game. He described this approach as intentional:"I decided to spend more of my time than some presidents would have on campus with the students. I wanted to be known to the students." [17]
Retirement
On May 9,2016,Destler announced he would retire at the end of the 2016–2017 academic year. Christine Whitman,chairman of the RIT Board of Trustees,stated:"Under Dr. Destler's leadership,every measurable indicator is up. RIT is having high impact and is recognized both nationally and internationally." [18] He was succeeded by David C. Munson on July 1,2017. [19]
Personal life
Destler is married to Rebecca Johnson,who holds a Ph.D. in psychology. Johnson served as a dedicated ambassador for RIT,leading the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and involvement with the Multicultural Center for Academic Success during their time in Rochester. [21] The couple has two sons. [22]
Destler is an avid collector of antique banjos,with a collection of more than 160 instruments. [23] He is also an amateur folk musician and a founding member of the Baltimore Folk Music Society,which was established in 1975. [24] [25] Destler released his first record,September Sky,on the Swallowtail label in 1973;it was re-released as a CD in South Korea in 2010. [26] [27] He performed with the a cappella trio Rock Creek,alongside Wally Macnow and Tom McHenry,singing on Sharon Mountain Harmony (Folk Legacy Records,1982) and the self-produced album Rock Creek. [28] His album Would You Have Time was released in 2016. [29]
Destler has a longstanding interest in alternative fuel vehicles,including hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. He has owned a Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. [30] Beginning with his skepticism about electric vehicles that transformed into fascination after buying an electric scooter,Destler created "Destler's Challenge" at Imagine RIT,an annual sustainable vehicle competition where winning teams could choose a $1,000 cash prize or an antique banjo from his personal collection. [31] [32]
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