Remembering UAlbany’s 16th President, Karen R. Hitchcock

Karen R. Hitchcock, UAlbany’s 16th president and the first woman to head the University, passed away July 10, 2019, at her home in Rexford, N.Y. She was 76.

A cell biologist, Hitchcock held academic and administrative posts at several institutions, including the University of Illinois at Chicago, prior to joining UAlbany as vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of biological sciences in 1991. Four years later, when then-President H. Patrick Swygert departed for Howard University, Hitchcock became interim president. She was named president in 1996. 

“Engaging the Future,” the theme of her inauguration, foretold Hitchcock’s determination to transform UAlbany while forging partnerships with New York State, community, and business leaders. During her tenure, the Center for Functional Genomics, the Cancer Research Center, the Science Library, Empire Commons, the Life Sciences Research Building, the Boor Sculpture Studio, and other facilities were constructed. UAlbany athletics attained NCAA Division I status, and the New York Giants began a long-term arrangement to hold their summer training camp at the University.   

Hitchcock was also active in civic affairs. She was founding co-chair of the Business-Higher Education Roundtable and past chair of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Economic Growth.      

Hitchcock left in 2004 to serve as principal and vice chancellor at Queen’s University in Ontario. In 2008, she returned to the Capital Region, where she co-hosted NPR’s “Best of Our Knowledge” on WAMC and remained involved in the community. For her service, The University at Albany Foundation honored her as Academic Laureate in November 2018. 

In announcing Hitchcock’s death, UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez praised her as “a trailblazer” whose “significant professional and philanthropic contributions made the University and the Capital Region stronger and more vibrant.”