Background
Posvar, Wesley Wentz was born on September 14, 1925 in Topeka. Son of Vladimir L. and Marie (Wentz) Posvar.
educator consultant university president
Posvar, Wesley Wentz was born on September 14, 1925 in Topeka. Son of Vladimir L. and Marie (Wentz) Posvar.
Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy, 1946; Bachelor (Rhodes scholar), University of Oxford, England, 1951; Master of Arts, University of Oxford, England, 1954; Master of Public Administration, Doctor of Philosophy (Littauer fellow), Harvard University, 1964; Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Humane Letters, D in Public Svc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1963-1964; research associate, Center International Studies Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1963-1964.
He was the first Air Force officer to receive a Rhodes Scholarship, earning both a bachelor"s and master"s at Oxford University. After his retirement from the United States Air Force, he became President of the University of Dayton. On July 31, 1991 Wesley West. Posvar officially retired from his post as chancellor of the after 24 years.
Posvar was married to Mildred Miller, New York Metropolitan Opera star and recital mezzo-soprano, with whom he had three children, Wesley, Marina and Lisa.
Posvar died of a heart attack on July 27, 2001. He was buried with full military honors at the United States. Military Academy at West Point.
Posvar was Chairman of the Department of Political Science at the Air Force Academy. His administration is best known for elimination of the university"s debt from its 1960s financial crisis and for raising the school"s prestige and endowment.
Under Posvar, Pitt"s operating budget grew sevenfold to $630 million and its endowment tripled to $257 million.
He also established the Honors College, the School of Health-Related Professions, the University Center for International Studies, the Center for Philosophy of Science, and the University Center for Social and Urban Research. In 2000 Pitt"s Forbes Quadrangle building, on the site of the former Forbes Field, was renamed Wesley West. Posvar Hall in his honor. A room is also dedicated in Posvar’s honor at the Thayer Hotel at West Point.
Trustee Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Advisory trustee Research and Development Corporation. Chairman of the board of trustees Czech Management Center.
Director United States Space Foundation. President World Society Ekistics, 1998. Member American Political Science Association, Association American Rhodes Scholars, International Studies Association (co-founder, president 1961-1962), Pennsylvania Association Colleges Universities (founding member, president 1971-1972, 83-84), American Council on Education (co-founder, member Business Higher Education Forum 1978-1991, chairman 1980-1981), International Institute Strategic Studies, Council Foreign Rels., Cosmos Club.
Married Mildred Miller, April 30, 1950. Children: Wesley William, Margot Marina, Lisa Christina.
