Chancellor, The University System of Maryland

On August 1, 2002, William English Kirwan became the third chancellor of the University System of Maryland. A widely respected academic leader, Dr. Kirwan served as president of Ohio State University for four years (1998-2002), and as president of the University of Maryland, College Park for 10 years (1988-1998).

Prior to his presidency, he was a member of the University of Maryland faculty for 24 years. Dr. Kirwan is also a nationally recognized authority on critical issues shaping the higher education landscape. Dr. Kirwan received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Kentucky and his master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in 1962 and 1964 respectively. He is a member of several honorary and professional societies, including Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, the American Mathematical Society, and the Mathematical Association of America.

In 2002, Dr. Kirwan was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A prolific scholar, he is co-editor of the book Advances in Complex Analysis and has published many articles on mathematical research. On February 15, 2007, during ceremonies in Annapolis, Dr. Kirwan became the 16th recipient of the Maryland House of Delegates Speaker's Medallion, which recognizes Maryland citizens who have demonstrated exemplary service to the House and to the State of Maryland.

Dr. Kirwan is married to Patricia Harper Kirwan, also a graduate of the University of Kentucky and a classmate since seventh grade. They have two children, both University of Maryland alumni: William E. Kirwan III and Ann Kirwan Horton; and three grandchildren, Daly Elizabeth, Kyle, and Andrew.