Robert F. Banks Announces His 2007 Retirement

Dr. Robert F. Banks has provided effective and distinguished leadership in the classroom, as a college dean, and as a university administrator for 40 years at Michigan State University . For the last 27 years, he has served as associate provost and associate vice president for academic human resources. In 2006, Dr. Banks announced his 2007 retirement and the University community responded with a series of events and honors during the Spring 2007 semester.

The MSU News Bulletin published a feature article on Dr. Banks’s illustrious career at MSU and included a recent interview. You can read the full News Bulletin feature when you open this April 12, 2007 MSU News Bulletin pdf and scroll to page 4.

On April 20, 1007, President Lou Anna K. Simon and Provost Kim Wilcox hosted a University-wide celebration honoring Dr. Banks for his 4 decades of service. This reception was followed by a jazz concert featuring the MSU Professors of Jazz and MSU Jazz Band I (the Be-Bop Spartans) who paid tribute to Bob and his love of jazz in a fast-paced concert that highlights some of his favorite music.

They honored Bob "Bebop" Banks in this fashion with well-known jazz selections such as Straight No Chaser, by Thelonious Monk, Pennies from Heaven, by Arthur Johnston, and The Shepherd, by Duke Ellington, along with a personal tribute from President Lou Anna K. Simon.

In recognition of his role as a strong supporter of diversity efforts and programming at the university, Dr. Banks was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 Excellence in Diversity awards ceremony in March 2007.

The Annual Lilly Fellow and CIC ALP Fellow Reunion Dinner took place on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 . "Honoring the Contributions of Dr. Robert F. Banks" was the title of this year’s Reunion Dinner. Bob Banks was instrumental in creating and sustaining both the CIC ALP Fellowship Program and Lilly Teaching Fellowship Program. He has also served as a mentor and provided wise counsel to many Fellows over the years. View the Reunion Dinner Photo Gallery for a look at some of the photos from this event.

To honor and sustain the spirit of Dr. Banks’ contributions to leadership, teaching and academic advancement at MSU, the Robert F. Banks Award for Outstanding Academic Leadership is being created, and will be awarded annually.

If you wish to contribute to the award, make checks payable to
Michigan State University with "Robert F. Banks Award" written on the memo.
Checks may be sent to:

University Development
Michigan State University
300 Spartan Way
East Lansing , Michigan 48824-1005

To make a donation online, enter Robert F. Banks Award in the "Fund Name" box.