June 26, 2020 Webinar featuring Dr. David Rudd

Dr. David Rudd
President
University of Memphis
Friday, June 26, 2020
Webinar begins at 11:30 am 

The Economic Club of Memphis is pleased to present a webinar featuring Dr. David Rudd on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:30 am.

Beginning his sixth year as president, Rudd’s tenure has witnessed record-breaking improvements in student retention and graduation rates. He has spearheaded efforts to create a new division of Student Success, developed the University’s first integrated enrollment, retention and graduation plan, and offered need-based funding for the first time in UofM history.

Rudd has led efforts to grow community partnerships including the LiFE: Learning Inspired by FedEx program, which offers eligible FedEx Hub employees a chance to earn a potentially tuition-free degree online, the UMRF Research Park, and launched UMRF Ventures, a private company held by the U of M Research Foundation. Ventures hosts several FedEx Call Centers, a data analytic center, and an IT command Center. It employs 300 students and gross revenue approached $4M in only its second year.

The UofM set a record for total fundraising in his first year at $37.9M and broke that record this past year, with a total over $41M. The last two years have seen consecutive records for academic fundraising at $23M and $26 million. Over a five-year period $164M has been raised. More than $500 million is being invested on campus and in the University Neighborhood District (over $140 million in private funds).

Under Rudd’s leadership, the campus has continued to expand, with the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center, Pedestrian Cable Bridge, Parking Garage and Plaza, and the forthcoming Scheidt Family Music Center and Center for Wellness and Fitness.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton and master’s and PhD degrees in psychology from the University of Texas.