Dr. George A. Pruitt (Ph.D. 1974)

“I believe a college education is a means to an end, not an end in itself, and I believe universities ought to be places where meaningful change takes place. Leaders in higher education must not only have a vision; they must recruit others who share their vision, and they must strive to leave things better than they found them.” – Dr. George A. Pruitt

Dr. George Pruitt was already on his way to becoming a leader in adult higher education when he made the decision to earn his doctorate from Union Institute & University. As a dean and vice president of a major university, Dr. Pruitt set his sights on becoming a university president, and he had all of the tools necessary to make his dream become a reality – except one.

“I had the experience and the knowledge, but I lacked a terminal degree. I knew that in order to become a college president, I’d need that Ph.D.,” Dr. Pruitt explained.

At the advice of his friend, Dr. King Cheek, former president of the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities (UECU), which would later emerge as Union Institute & University, Dr. Pruitt enrolled in the UECU doctoral program. He earned his Ph.D. in 1976, and in 1982, he was asked to serve as president of Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey.

“What I liked about Union was that the curriculum took into account what I was already doing, what I had learned from being in the field,” said Dr. Pruitt.  “When I looked at other university Ph.D. programs, I wasn’t excited. But Union allowed me to focus on disciplines important to me, including higher education leadership and social justice. And they took into account what I already knew.”

“When I looked at other university Ph.D. programs, I wasn’t excited,” said Dr. Pruitt.  “But Union allowed me to put together a program that focused on disciplines important to me, including higher education leadership and social justice. And they took into account what I already knew.”

His education was only the beginning of his long relationship with Union. Since his days as a doctoral learner, Dr. Pruitt has remained active at his alma mater, serving as chair of UI&U’s Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2003.  He continues to play an invaluable role as a UI&U trustee – as someone who has been an integral part of the university since its inception.

Today, in addition to his presidency at Thomas Edison State University, Dr. Pruitt is a member of the board of directors of Sun National Bank and serves as chairman of the board of directors at Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation in New York.  He is also chairman of the board of Directors at Capital City Partnership, Inc. and serves on the boards of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Council on Education (ACE) in Washington, DC.

Dr. Pruitt is also a nationally recognized consultant for business, government, and the higher education community, and has served in an advisory capacity to four Secretaries of Education under three U.S. presidents of both parties.   He is the recipient of three honorary degrees in addition to numerous awards, honors, and commendations. In a study of presidential leadership funded by the Exxon Education Foundation, Dr. Pruitt was identified as one of the most effective college presidents in the United States.

It is with honor that we feature Dr. George Pruitt during the 2011 celebration of Black History Month. UI&U alumnus, UI&U trustee, and scholar-practitioner, Dr. Pruitt epitomizes many who live Union’s vision to engage and enlighten and empower their own lives and the communities around them.