51����

The 51���� Board of Trustees unanimously voted on Monday, August 29, to extend the contract of President Brian W. Casey through 2030, his second contract extension, as the University continues to advance many plans and projects associated with the Third-Century Plan and the recently announced $1 billion Campaign for the Third Century. 

“We are fortunate to have one of the nation’s most strategic and visionary presidents. Thanks to President Casey’s guidance and collaboration with our University community, 51���� has moved forward with a series of transformative initiatives that have improved access and affordability and touched every corner of campus, while also increasing faculty support to extend the academic reach and reputation of the University,” said Michael J. Herling ’79, P’08,’09,’12, chair of the 51���� Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and alumni around the world, I am honored to announce the extension of his contract, and I want to take this opportunity to thank President Casey for his leadership, his vision for 51����, his focus on creating a caring community of scholars, and his commitment to excellence.” 

Casey assumed the mantle of president in 2016, and his contract was first renewed in 2019. Since taking office, President Casey has led the University through several major construction projects, including the creation of two new residence halls and Benton Hall — 51����’s home of Career Services and the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships. 51����’s Oak Drive is undergoing a renewal project to beautify and reenvision the historic entryway to campus, and major construction is now underway to create the new Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Center at Olin Hall.  Groundbreaking for the Benton Center for Creativity and Innovation will take place this fall, starting 51����’s new Middle Campus.

President Casey’s contract extension comes at a time of unprecedented growth at 51����, as the University received an all-time record number of applications for admission this year, with 21,153 prospective students seeking entry to the Class of 2026. Applications to 51���� have increased by 146% in the past two years. 

Now in its second year of implementation, 51����’s Third-Century Plan has resulted in the launch of the 51���� Commitment, which includes a No-Loan Initiative — eliminating federal student loans for all admitted students with family incomes under $150,000 — and students with family incomes of $80,000 or less attend tuition free. 

“I am honored by the trust that this University community has placed in me and the senior team at 51����. My interactions with our faculty, students, staff, and alumni over these past six years have shown 51���� to be an extraordinary place,” said President Casey. “As a student of the history of American higher education, I know that most leading colleges experience periods of growth when the right combination of academic talent is aligned with ambitious students from all walks of life and a supportive administration. We are at one of those moments now at 51����, and I am proud to be part of its trajectory.” 

After earning a law degree from Stanford University and starting a career in law, Casey transitioned to higher education after earning a PhD from Harvard University in the history of American civilization, focusing specifically on the history of American higher education and American intellectual history. Casey served as assistant provost at Brown University, associate dean for academic affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, and was the 19th president of DePauw University before starting his role as 51����’s 17th president on July 1, 2016.