Former Chancellor Robert Holub Passes Away

In an email message sent to faculty and staff today, Chancellor Javier Reyes shared the news that former Chancellor Robert Holub has passed away. The email is as follows:

Dear Campus Community,

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I am writing to share the sad news that former Chancellor Robert Holub passed away on Aug. 27, 2023 in Worthington, Ohio.

Dr. Holub served as UMass Amherst Chancellor from 2008 to 2012. During his tenure he brought the university to new levels of recognition and competitiveness, despite severe economic challenges resulting from the Great Recession of 2008. His important contributions include commencing the construction of the Commonwealth Honors College Residential Community and the first phase of the Life Sciences Laboratories.

Much of Dr. Holub’s career was spent at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked for 27 years. Prior to becoming chancellor, he served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He chaired the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures at The Ohio State University from 2014 to 2023. 

Our hearts and thoughts are with his family, including his wife, Sabine, and their children. A celebration of life service is planned for October 14 in Ohio.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Javier Reyes