The United Football League announced today that former President of Northwestern University Henry Bienen, has been named Chairman of the UFL’s Board of Directors. As Chairman, Mr. Bienen will oversee the Board which is comprised of the team owners and UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue.

“When seeking a Chairman to lead the UFL’s Board of Directors, we specifically wanted someone who had gained success in other disciplines and could look at our League objectively,” said UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue. “We are impressed with the leadership role Henry Bienen displayed at Northwestern which resulted in the university’s growth academically and financially. The fact that his football team achieved high levels of success and lucrative television revenues under his stewardship is further evidence that Henry will be a tremendous asset to the UFL in his role of Chairman.”

During Mr. Bienen’s 14-year tenure as president of Northwestern, applications for admission nearly doubled and the number of National Merit Scholars increased substantially. Mr. Bienen is also responsible for growing sponsored research funding from $173 million to approximately $430 million. Additionally, Northwestern’s endowment has more than quadrupled from $1.4 billion in 1995 to more than $5.5 billion today. Northwestern’s football team also qualified for six Bowl appearances during Mr. Bienen’s reign, including a 1996 trip to the Rose Bowl – a first in almost 50 years. In 2005, Mr. Bienen was one of the first three university presidents awarded the Carnegie Corporation Academic Leadership Award for innovative leadership. Mr. Bienen also serves as Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee of the Council on Foreign Relations and a member of its executive committee as well as Chair of the Board of Ithaka Harbors, Inc.

“I am very excited about becoming Chairman of the UFL’s Executive Board; it is a great venture, with an interesting business plan,” said Mr. Bienen. “I believe the League will bring high quality, affordable professional football to new communities. I am happy to be a part of this effort.”

Mr. Bienen will retire from his role as President on August 31st and become Vice Chairman of the Rasmussen College, Inc. Board of Directors on September 1st. Rasmussen College, Inc. owns and operates two divisions – Rasmussen College and Deltak edu. Rasumussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and offers Baccalaureate and Associate’s degrees online and through 17 campuses located throughout the Midwest and Florida. Deltak edu offers online Master’s and Doctoral degrees in partnership with 14 leading universities.

Source: United Football League

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