Ruth Freeman is a gifted administrator, dedicated ally, and trusted supporter. She has served in the Provost's office not once but twice, and her dedicated stewardship has affected our community in more ways than we can count.
Freeman has cultivated a long history of excellence in higher education. She obtained an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College, a master's from Berkeley and holds a doctorate in history from Yale University.
While attending Berkeley, Freeman witnessed some of the most dramatic events of the Civil Rights movement and the turbulent 1960s. She applied these formative experiences toward an administrative position at Yale overseeing special programs, including a civil rights initiative aimed at improving the pool of faculty for historically black colleges throughout the United States. Freeman worked tirelessly in this capacity, mixing practical administrative skill in equal measure with a passion for justice and human rights.
On her departure from Yale, Freeman accepted a position as associate provost at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1978 and served with distinction. In 1982 she was named associate provost at the University of Rochester, a position she held until retirement in 1997.
Freeman graciously answered our call to service by returning to the Colleges this past year and serving as interim provost. Our community has once again witnessed her keen instincts, savvy administrative skills and gifted intellect.
Ruth Freeman has guided us through this time of transition with a dexterity born from long experience and personal talent. She holds a position of respect and admiration throughout the faculty and administration of the Colleges.