Board of Directors

About

The board of directors at Rockefeller University has a long and varied history. The university was founded in 1901 as The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. The board of directors was established soon after, in 1902. The board was initially composed of representatives from various medical and scientific organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Carnegie Institution. In the early years, the board was responsible for overseeing the institute's finances and for appointing its president. In the 1930s, the board began to play a more active role in the institute's affairs, as it became increasingly involved in fundraising and in the selection of institute staff. In the 1950s and 1960s, the board expanded its role even further, becoming involved in such matters as the institute's relationship with the federal government and its participation in international research programs. Today, the board is responsible for setting the institute's strategic direction and for overseeing its finances and operations.