Michael I. Sovern

Michael I. Sovern

Michael I. Sovern CC '51 was the 17th President of Columbia University. He served previously as dean of Columbia Law School, where he had been a professor, and as University Provost. Played a critical role in the immediate aftermath of the 1968 protests. He sold Rockefeller Center for $400 million, effectively creating Columbia's endowment (prior to the sale, due to the debt crisis of the 1970s, Columbia did not have a large cash portfolio of invested assets).

He is still teaching at the law school today.

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Preceded by Norman N. Mintz

Provost  1979-1980

Succeeded by Henrik H. Bendixen (Health Sciences), Peter Likins (Morningside Professional Schools), Fritz Stern (Arts and Sciences)

Preceded by William J. McGill

President of Columbia University  1980-1993

Succeeded by George Rupp