After 20 years in several key administrative positions at UNMC, William Berndt, Ph.D., announced today that he is retiring as vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies and research effective May 31.
Dr. Berndt, 68, has served as vice chancellor since 1985 with the 17-year stint interrupted only when he served as interim chancellor in 1991-1992 and chancellor in 1996-1998.
“Dr. Berndt has done an outstanding job,” said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor. “With his 20 years at UNMC, Bill probably knows more about the university than just about anybody on campus. He has been a tremendous asset to the Medical Center over the years, having served in a number of key leadership positions. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement. He will definitely be missed.”
Dr. Maurer said before he conducts a search for a replacement he would like to first take a closer look at the structure of the vice chancellor position.
One of the highlights of Dr. Berndt’s career occurred in 1996-1997 when as chancellor he was instrumental in getting UNMC and Clarkson Hospital representatives to put aside their differences and sit down and discuss a possible merger. As a result of the discussions, a partnership was created and Nebraska Health System was formed in 1997. The lease agreement resulting from the partnership was extended from five years to 40 years in 2000.
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Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor, Business and Finance — “Over the last 20 years, Bill has served as academic vice chancellor, interim chancellor, and chancellor. He has seen and helped guide the tremendous changes at UNMC that have increased our stature nationally and internationally. It has been a pleasure to serve with him as a colleague and have him as a friend.” Martha Harmon, administrator, Academic Services — “Dr. Berndt’s retirement will be the end of an era for many of us. He has been my boss for an incredible 17 years. I come to work early — he comes even earlier. By the time I get here he already has the coffee on, and I can “hit the ground running!” He and his wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.” Louis Burgher, M.D., president, chief executive officer, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and former NHS president and CEO — “Bill was quietly effective working behind the scenes, never taking credit for the good work he did. This humility and his sense of humor was a perfect combination in getting people of different points of view to sit down at the table.” Terry Hexum, Ph.D., president, UNMC Faculty Senate — “Dr. Berndt has worn the hat of an educator, researcher and administrator. The admirable thing about Dr. Berndt is that his performance in each position was distinguished. Very few individuals can work effectively in multiple positions let alone with such distinction. I have worked in all capacities with Bill and admire his accomplishments resulting in such a successful career.” Ernest Prentice, Ph.D., associate dean, UNMC’s Research and Regulatory Affairs — “Dr. Berndt has been a significant force in the evolution of UNMC. He will be both remembered and greatly missed for all that he has done.” Lee B. Jones, Ph.D., executive vice president, provost, University of Nebraska — “Bill Berndt is an individual who cares deeply about the University of Nebraska and its advancement. Over the past 20 years Bill has provided exceptional leadership to the university. It has been a privilege working with Bill both professionally and personally.” Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, UNMC — “Bill Berndt is one of those irreplaceable assets that come along once or twice in the half-life of a medical center. I’ll miss his good cheer as much as his vast store of knowledge. I trust he will not try to regain his old rugby form, in retirement!” David Crouse, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor, Academic Affairs/Graduate Studies & Research — “When Dr. Berndt interviewed for the position as Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in late 1981 or early 1982, I was a junior faculty member who was “lucky” (drafted) to be involved and it became one of those times that you do not forget. I still recall him coming into the sunny east conference room on the 5th level of Conkling Hall, taking off his “rumpled” sport coat, rolling up his white long sleeve shirt, sitting down and then tilting back in the chair before saying something very direct like “So, what are your questions?” It quickly became his interview as much as ours and provided a lively discussion covering many areas of research and graduate education. His energetic, open and direct style have become characteristic of all the different roles that he has played here at the medical center and we have all benefited greatly from his leadership. For example, he was responsible for shepherding us through the implementation of many major changes in federal compliance and regulatory guidelines. Under his tenure we saw the first UNMC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and program, the first modern UNMC Institutional Review Board (IRB) with all of their responsibilities, the development of comprehensive Radiation and Chemical Safety programs, the emergence of several new or restructured graduate and other academic programs as well as the concurrent huge growth of research funding (from $4.7 million in 1982 to well over $40 million today). His retirement will greatly reduce our direct access to much institutional history that is often so helpful in administration of complex institutions. He will be missed.”
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“Although there are always up and downs, the last 20 years have been great,” Dr. Berndt said. “It has been fun watching UNMC grow both in size and sophistication. Information technology has grown enormously as has research. Student performance on national exams has become excellent. I think the campuses of the university have come closer together, and that is a plus for the university as a whole.
“Overall, in recent years, the president and Board of Regents have been very supportive of UNMC and that has allowed us to grow and prosper. Indeed, in many ways UNMC has assumed a leadership position among the four campuses. From a personal point of view, I have been privileged to work with some of the best administrators, faculty and staff one could find anywhere.”
A native of St. Joseph, Mo., Dr. Berndt received his undergraduate degree from the Creighton University College of Pharmacy in 1954 and his Ph.D. degree in pharmacology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1959.
Prior to joining the UNMC faculty in 1982, he served on the faculty at Dartmouth Medical School for 13 years and the University of Mississippi Medical Center for eight years. At Dartmouth, he moved from instructor to professor in the pharmacology department. He served as professor and chairman of the department of pharmacology and toxicology at Mississippi.
He joined UNMC as professor of pharmacology and dean for graduate studies and research and was elevated to vice chancellor three years later.
Dr. Berndt’s professional and research interests have related to both pharmacology and toxicology, in particular the effects of chemicals on renal function. He is a diplomate for both the American Board of Toxicology and the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and a fellow in the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education. In 1983, he was awarded the Bookmeyer Merit Award from the UNMC College of Medicine.
A prolific researcher during his career, Dr. Berndt published more than 270 articles, abstracts and book chapters in scientific journals and made presentations or lectures at more than 70 scientific meetings. He received funding on 16 grants during his career.
He is a member of various professional organizations, most notably the Society of Toxicology, the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the American Society of Nephrology and the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics.