Dive Summary:
- Former Boston University president John R. Silber passed away Thursday morning at the age of 86.
- Silber served as the school's president from 1971 to 1996 and its chancellor from 1996 to 2003, in addition to serving on the Massachusetts state Board of Education from 1995 to 1999.
- He is credited with elevating BU's profile and reputation while earning his own reputation for aggression and a passion for academic excellence.
From the article:
John R. Silber, whose tempestuous quarter-century as president of Boston University brought the school to new levels of academic excellence and financial stability while creating an atmosphere of conflict and controversy, and who in 1990 came within 77,000 votes of becoming governor of Massachusetts, died of kidney failure this morning. He was 86. ...