Mark S. Wrighton | Global | Washington University in St. Louis

Mark S. Wrighton PhD, is the James and Mary Wertsch Distinguished University Professor and chancellor emeritus of Washington University in St. Louis. He currently serves as a university ambassador for international strategy and member of the WashU Global Advisory Council.

For almost 24 years (July 1995-May 2019), Wrighton served as the 14^th chancellor and chief executive officer of the university. In the years following his appointment, the university made significant progress in student quality, campus improvements, resource development, curriculum and international reputation.

Wrighton also served as the president of The George Washington University (GWU) for an 18-month term from January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. He was granted the status of “President Emeritus” by the GWU Board of Trustees. During his time at GWU, he was on sabbatical from Washington University in St. Louis.

During Wrighton’s tenure as chancellor at Washington University, university accomplishments included a more than two-fold increase in undergraduate applications, more than 350 new endowed professorships for faculty, a redesigned Arts & Sciences curriculum, newly created programs in biomedical engineering, public health, American culture studies, and completion of more than 50 new buildings for Arts & Sciences, business, design and visual arts, engineering, law, medicine, social work, and residential life. One of the most outstanding construction projects under Wrighton’s leadership was the redevelopment of the East End of the Danforth Campus.

Major programmatic initiatives during Wrighton’s chancellorship include the McDonnell International Scholars Academy, the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, the Institute for Public Health, the International Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, and the Living Earth Collaborative. New departments include Sociology; Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; African and African American Studies; Biomedical Engineering; and Radiation Oncology.