Student Aid Reform

William Troutt is president of Rhodes College, celebrating a decade of service to Rhodes. He has established a strategic vision for the liberal arts college, focusing on excellence both in the classroom and beyond the campus through student research, service, internship and study abroad opportunities. His leadership has resulted in a new college curriculum, the move from scholarships toward fellowships, a nationally recognized student work program and a new campus master plan centered on the Paul Barret, Jr. Library, for which he secured a $35.5 million gift.

Well known for his contributions to higher education, Troutt chaired the American Council on Education, the National Commission on the Cost of Higher Education, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship program. He also served on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Commission, which made recommendations to Congress to dramatically increase the number of American undergraduates studying abroad. Named one of America's most effective college presidents, Troutt received the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College.