John Berg to retire as vice chancellor for admissions

Berg has led Washington University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more than two decades and has been with the university for nearly 30 years. He was promoted to vice chancellor in 2012 after serving in various leadership roles in administration, finance and admissions.

“No one has done more than John Berg to enhance the stature of Washington University’s undergraduate program,” Wrighton said. “He has placed the university in an enviable position nationally and internationally, and today we are far more visible and attractive thanks to his leadership. I am personally grateful to him for his years of service, and I applaud him for his remarkable legacy.”

During his tenure in admissions, Berg is credited with overseeing a significant increase in both the number and quality of applicants to Washington University. He joined the university in 1987 as assistant to Chancellor William H. Danforth, now chancellor emeritus and life trustee. Two years later, he was appointed associate vice chancellor for finance, a position he held until 1994 when he assumed leadership of undergraduate admissions.

“Washington University has been exceedingly fortunate to benefit from John Berg’s leadership on a number of fronts over the course of nearly 30 years,” said Provost Holden Thorp, PhD. “Through his extraordinary efforts, talented students from around the world have sought Washington University out more intensely year after year. The passion and excitement generated by our students are a result of John’s tireless dedication.”

“John’s influence on our community, through the students he has recruited and the staff he has trained, is immense,” said Jennifer R. Smith, PhD, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “Every time I step into the classroom, I am grateful to him for the extraordinary students he has brought us, and every time I work with John, I am grateful for him. His insight, foresight, thoughtfulness and humor make him not just extremely effective at his job, but also a well-loved colleague. We will miss him greatly.”

A graduate of Tufts University, Berg earned his master’s of business administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Washington University administration, he served as finance director of the Kennedy Center’s National Symphony Orchestra.

Wrighton has appointed a 13-member search committee to identify candidates for Berg’s successor. Thorp will chair the committee on which Smith is also serving. Other members are:

• Shyam Akula, a senior in Arts & Sciences;
• Heather Corcoran, director of the College & Graduate School of Art in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts;
• Kurt T. Dirks, PhD, senior associate dean of programs and the Bank of America Professor of Managerial Leadership at Olin Business School;
• Jordan Mendoza, a junior in Arts & Sciences;
• Valerie S. Ratts, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis;
• Ignacio Sánchez Prado, PhD, associate professor of Spanish, Latin American Studies, and Film and Media Studies, all in Arts & Sciences;
• Ronald L. Thompson, member of the Board of Trustees and retired chairman of the board and CEO of Midwest Stamping Co.;
• Tim Thornton, assistant vice chancellor for finance and director of financial planning;
• Lori S. White, PhD, vice chancellor for students;
• Jonathan Williford, a senior in Arts & Sciences; and
• Lan Yang, PhD, the Edwin H. & Florence G. Skinner Professor in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science.