Northwestern Names Former President Bienen Interim Leader After Schill Resignation

Northwestern University has appointed Henry S. Bienen, its 15th president from 1995 to 2009, as interim president starting September 16, following the resignation of Michael Schill. Schill's tenure was marked by significant challenges, including campus protests related to the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, a freeze on $790 million of research funding by the Trump administration, a hazing scandal in the football program, and scrutiny from House Republicans over the university's handling of protests. Bienen, a veteran academic and political scientist with more than three decades of service to Northwestern, expressed his honor in returning to help the university navigate this critical period. Board of Trustees Chair Peter Barris highlighted Bienen’s deep knowledge of Northwestern and his proven leadership, noting the university's growth in academic prominence, research, and financial strength during Bienen’s previous presidency. Schill will take a sabbatical and later return to Northwestern to teach and conduct research at the Pritzker School of Law. The appointment aims to provide stability and continuity as Northwestern faces ongoing challenges in higher education.