Experience It.

Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.

President of Medaille College

Dr. Richard T. Jurasek began his tenure as Medaille College's president on June 1, 2007. At his inauguration on April 5, 2008, Dr. Jurasek addressed the assembled audience with a speech that stretched across four themes: gratitude, pride, humility and ambition.

He outlined the legacy of teaching and learning at Medaille College, leading into a call for Medaille to "cause civic mindedness and create community" as a means to do its best work. With that in mind, new initiatives such as program partnerships with Buffalo schools, an Academy for Creativity and Leadership, and the CRichard Jurasekenter for Leadership and Change will reach beyond the College in support of its aspiration statement:

Medaille College will be known as the leader in preparing learners for career success and a lifelong commitment to a civic and sustainable future in Buffalo, the region, and the world.

Text of Dr. Jurasek's Inauguration Speech
Video of Dr. Jurasek's Inauguration Speech

Based on his continual dialogue and work with all members of the Medaille community that began in 2007, Dr. Jurasek coordinated a comprehensive strategic plan for the College, which will guide the growth and operation of the campuses through 2011.

Dr. Jurasek leads a college that has achieved remarkable growth over the past decade. With over 3,000 students across three campuses, Medaille is now the third-largest private college in the Buffalo area.

In October 2008, Dr. Jurasek announced plans for additional campus construction projects. Beginning in December 2008, upgrades and expansion to the Buffalo campus will represent a $2.65 million investment in facilities for the growing needs of Medaille's undergraduate population.

New science labs, student lounge space in a renovated fourth floor of the Main Building, and construction of a new student success center. These facilities are designed to continue to meet the growing needs of Medaille’s undergraduate population.

Over the next to expand and renovate Medaille's campus center, Main Building and science laboratories are underway. He has also overseen the renovations of athletics fields at McCarthy Park, which will benefit Medaille's student-athletes as them compete in NCAA and AMCC games.

During the past decade the College has invested nearly $30 million in capital projects, including the construction of two residence halls; the purchase and remodeling of eight houses on Humboldt Parkway and Agassiz Circle as faculty and administrative office space and state-of-the-art classroom space; and the installation of the quadrangle green space and a beautifully landscaped land ramp, providing access to the offices and classrooms in the Humboldt Parkway houses.

As the sixth president of Medaille College, Dr. Jurasek has a strong background in academics as well as fundraising. He has served in leadership assignments at Earlham College (IN), Augustana College (IN) and Antioch College (OH).

A literature scholar, Jurasek earned both his Ph.D. and master's degrees in German from The Ohio State University and his bachelor's degree in German from Ohio University. Dr. Jurasek has co-authored three books on German that are used in colleges and universities across the country. He has published widely and has made numerous presentations about on-campus and off-campus curriculum design.

"Dr. Jurasek is a born educator brings to Medaille a compelling academic vision," said William M. Collins, chair of the board of trustees. "He is an extraordinary individual with an engaging personality and warmth and we have no doubts that he will . . . help to transform it, as he puts it, from 'good to 'great.'"

Dr. Jurasek and his wife Barbara, formerly a tenured professor at Earlham College, have one child. Dr. Barbara Jurasek is a faculty member and Curriculum Projects Director at Medaille College.