Columbia College Announces New President

COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia College Board of Trustees has elected William T. (Tom) Bogart to become the twentieth president, effective October 1, 2020.

Board Chair Thomas C. Keith said, “As Columbia College transitions to its new coed status and expands its role in the Capital City, Dr. Bogart is well-positioned to lead the college into the future. He has been an effective, innovative and collaborative higher education leader for 30 years. His academic focus on urban economic development will be valuable to the college and to the City of Columbia.”

An accomplished academician, Bogart earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University and a Masters and Doctorate degrees in Economics from Princeton University. He was a faculty member at Case Western Reserve University from 1990-2002, Chief Academic Officer at York College in Pennsylvania from 2002-2010 and President of Maryville College in Tennessee from 2010-2020.

Highlights of his decade of service as President of Maryville College include leading two campus-wide strategic planning efforts, helping to secure the largest gift in the history of the College and increasing annual fund giving by 40%, increasing net assets from $77 million to $145 million, increasing the endowment from $51 million to $91 million, and operating with a net unrestricted budget surplus every year. The College received multiple awards for beautification, sustainability, and climate change initiatives added benefits to same-gender partners, and increased student diversity through Scots Science Scholars program (NSF funded) and “Dreamer” initiative in partnership with Equal Chance for Education.

Trustee, alumna, and United Methodist minister, Rev. Tiffany Knowlin Boykin ’03, affirmed the selection. “Dr. Bogart’s experience and achievements as a President for ten years are impressive and will sustain the positive momentum at Columbia College. His advocacy for church-related higher education is a harbinger of a stronger connection to the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in South Carolina. His genuine interest in students will be well received by current students and alumni.”

Dr. Bogart thanked the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee, noting, “It is an incredible honor to join Columbia College. The mission resonates with me, with its emphasis on preparing students for personal and professional success and especially its focus on service, social justice, and leadership. Columbia College has the strength of identity forged from an undergraduate residential liberal arts core combined with the flexibility of graduate and online education to meet students where they are and serve their needs. This combination of assets is crucial to thriving in the coming decade, and to establishing Columbia College as an innovative private coed liberal arts college in the state capital. I am excited to work with the Columbia College community to extend its historical traditions and mission to a new population, while continuing to reinforce its distinctive sense of community.”

Tom is married to Mary Bogart. They have one adult daughter, Beth. Bogart will succeed Peter T. Mitchell who has served as Interim President since March and had served as President from 1988-1997.

Other Biographical Background

Tom Bogart, 56, was born in Berea, OH and attended elementary school in New Jersey and middle school and high school in Virginia.

Bogart received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematical Sciences from Rice University, where he also played on the soccer team. He received a master’s degree and a doctorate in Economics from Princeton University. His dissertation explored the relationship between state government policy, local government policy, home values, and voting patterns. It was recognized with the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the National Tax Association.

Bogart’s academic career began in 1990 as Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University in the Weatherhead School of Management. He achieved tenure in 1996 and was promoted to Associate Professor. From 1999 to 2002 he served as Chair of the Economics Department. From 2002 to 2010 Bogart was Dean of Academics and Chief Academic Officer at York College in Pennsylvania. Among his many achievements at York, he led regional reaccreditation, facilitated accreditation or reaccreditation for nine programs of study, launched ten new undergraduate majors and three graduate programs, created the Center for Community Engagement and the J. D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship and increased undergraduate enrollment by 12% and full-time faculty by 16%.

Bogart was President of Maryville College in Tennessee from 2010-2020. Highlights of his decade of service as President of Maryville College include: leading two campus-wide strategic planning efforts, helping to secure the largest gift in the history of the college and increasing annual fund giving by 40%, increasing net assets from $77 million to $145 million, increasing the endowment from $51 million to $91 million, and operating with a net unrestricted budget surplus every year. The College received multiple awards for beautification, sustainability and climate change initiatives, added benefits to same-gender partners, and increased student diversity through Scots Science Scholars program (NSF funded) and “Dreamer” initiative in partnership with Equal Chance for Education.

Bogart has written various articles and publications in the field of economics with special focus on urban economic development, the impact of school quality and public policy on housing markets, and evolving metropolitan structure.

During his time at Maryville College, Bogart served as treasurer of the Appalachian Colleges Association, Chair of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, board member of Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association, executive committee of USA South Athletic Conference and on several SACSCOC accreditation visiting teams. In Pennsylvania Bogart served in multiple leadership roles as part of the YorkCounts regional strategic planning and implementation group.

Teaching awards and honors include Undergraduate Teaching Award, Weatherhead School of Management: 2000, 2002; Helping Hands Award, CWRU Fraternities and Sororities 1998; Professor of the Year, Alpha Phi Sorority, CWRU 1998; Mortar Board “Top Prof” Award 1997, 2002; Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award in Humanities and Social Sciences 1996; Carl F. Wittke Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching 1994; Faculty Member of the Year, Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations: 1994; Honorary Member: Golden Key National Honor Society (1998).