Alexander F. Schilt
Alexander F. Schilt | |
|---|---|
 Schilt as UH System Chancellor | |
| 4th Chancellor of the University of Houston System | |
| In office October 1, 1989 – March 1996 | |
| 22nd President of Eastern Washington University | |
| In office August 17, 1987 – September 1, 1989 | |
| 2nd Chancellor of the University of Houston–Downtown | |
| In office July 15, 1980 – May 1987 | |
| 1st Chancellor of the Indiana University East | |
| In office September 10, 1978 – June 1980 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 4, 1941 Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Died | July 9, 2025 (aged 84) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wyoming (BA, history) Arizona State University (MA, psychology) Arizona State University (PhD, psychology) |
Alexander Frank Schilt (March 4, 1941 – July 9, 2025) was an American academic and higher education administrator. He served as the first chancellor of Indiana University East, the second president of the University of Houston–Downtown, the 22nd president of Eastern Washington University, and the fourth chancellor of the University of Houston System.
Biography
[edit]Schilt was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. on March 4, 1941.[1][2][3] His parents were Louis F. and Mary Alice (née Linton) Schilt, and he had two siblings, a brother Louie and a sister RoseMary.[4][5] His father was an agricultural extension agent for Laramie County, Wyoming.[6] The family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, in 1946 when Schilt's father was appointed director of the state extension service of the University of Wyoming.[4]
After graduating from Laramie High School,[7] Schilt obtained his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wyoming in 1964. He then enrolled at Arizona State University, where he earned a master's degree in 1966 and a doctorate in 1969 in the field of psychology.[8][2] From 1965 to 1969 at Arizona State, he also served as assistant dean of students. He served as assistant director of financial aid during the 1969—1970 academic year.[9]
In 1970, Schilt was named dean of student services at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana.[8] He was appointed dean of the campus of Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana, in February 1976[9] and chancellor of the campus in September 1978.[10]
Schilt was named chancellor of the University of Houston–Downtown, and assumed his duties on July 15, 1980.[1] He was also appointed a professor of psychology at the school.[11] He was a finalist for the presidency of the University of Houston system in 1980, but was not chosen.[12]
In March 1987, Schilt was appointed president of Eastern Washington University.[2] He assumed his duties on August 17, 1987,[13] with a three-year contract.[14]
On August 31, 1989, Schilt was named chancellor of the four-campus University of Houston System.[15] He had not sought the job, but his name was submitted for consideration by regents of the university.[14] He assumed the position on October 1, 1989.[15] In early 1996, Schilt accepted a buyout of his contract as chancellor, which still had two years to run. He received $373,516 in lieu of salary and benefits. His was the largest buyout of any Texas public higher education administrator in past two and a half years.[16]
After resigning as chancellor, Schilt remained a professor in the University of Houston College of Education, retiring in 2018.[17]
Personal life and death
[edit]Schilt was married and had two daughters, Paige and Kristen. He and his wife later divorced.[12] He enjoyed long-distance running and fly fishing, and was an active supporter of local ballet and symphony orchestras.[18]
Schilt died on July 9, 2025 at the age of 84.[19][20]
Accolades
[edit]Schilt was awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle by the government of Mexico in September 1994.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Indiana Man to Head US Downtown Campus". The Houston Chronicle. May 9, 1980. p. Section 1—23.
- ^ a b c "Schilt to be New EWU President". The Spokane Spokesman-Review. March 28, 1987. p. A1.
- ^ Schilt, Alexander (May 24, 1994). "Indiana University Oral History Archive | 1991–1998 | 194 interviews". Center for the Study of History and Memory (Interview). Interviewed by Jean Freedman. Indiana University Bloomington.
- ^ a b "Louis F. Schilt". Casper Star-Tribune. July 10, 1983. p. B2.
- ^ "RoseMary S. Ostlund". Casper Star-Tribune. June 27, 2003. p. B3.
- ^ "Potato Program Is Voted Down". Casper Star-Tribune. October 17, 1941. p. 5.
- ^ "Schilt Gets Promotion". Casper Star-Tribune. March 21, 1956. p. 14.
- ^ a b "Master of Ceremonies Named for UW Dinner". The Palladium-Item. Richmond, Indiana. December 27, 1977. p. 7.
- ^ a b "IU East Dean Named; Assumes post Mar. 1". The Palladium-Item. Richmond, Indiana. February 15, 1976. p. 1.
- ^ Smith, Bruce C. (September 10, 1978). "I.U. Trustees to Ask for $318 Million in Aid". The Indianapolis Star. p. Section 3—1.
- ^ "UH Downtown Official Named". The Houston Post. May 9, 1980. p. A16.
- ^ a b Sparks, Jim (March 29, 1987). "New EWU President Lauded for Activism". The Spokane Spokesman-Review. pp. A1, A7.
- ^ Wagoner, Richard (August 19, 1987). "Schilt Starts EWU Job Before Moving In". The Spokane Spokesman-Review. p. A4.
- ^ a b Camden, Jim (September 1, 1989). "EWU President Takes Houston Post". Spokane Chronicle. p. 3.
- ^ a b Piller, Ruth (September 1, 1989). "Board Unanimously Votes for Schilt As Head of UH System". The Houston Chronicle. pp. A1, A9.
- ^ Sablatura, Bob (March 24, 1996). "Buyouts Cost Colleges Millions". The Houston Chronicle. pp. A1, A23.
- ^ University of Houston College of Education (May 3, 2018). "Alexander Schilt, a professor at the UH College of Education..." Facebook.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Sparks, Jim (March 6, 1987). "EWU Hopeful Stresses Quality". Spokane Chronicle. p. 19.
- ^ Lindsey, Shawn (July 15, 2025). "In Memoriam: Alexander F. Schilt, Former Chancellor, President and Visionary Leader". UH.edu. University of Houston. Archived from the original on July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 17, 2025; "University of Houston mourns passing of former leader Alexander F. Schilt". Houston Daily. July 19, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ Alex Schilt
- ^ Castilla, Julia Mercedes (September 2, 1994). "UH Chancellor Receives Mexico's Highest Honor". The Houston Post. p. F8.