For the past 20 years, William Berndt, Ph.D., has been a researcher, teacher, dean, chancellor and vice chancellor.
Beginning next month, he plans to add photography, hiking, traveling and lounging to his daily calendar.
On Tuesday, the UNMC community gathered to celebrate Dr. Berndt’s countless contributions to the medical center. The St. Joseph, Mo., native who spent 20 years in several key administrative positions at UNMC retires Friday.
“Bill Berndt is the Walter Cronkite of UNMC,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “Just like Walter Cronkite, everybody trusts Bill Berndt, and he represents the medical center to the universe.
“He’s been a tremendous resource to the medical center over the past 20 years and has shepherded many of the academic programs on this campus. He’s been a wonderful confidant.”
The former rugby player is widely known for his open and direct style, sense of humor, and common sense approach.
“I’ve really had a good time,” Dr. Berndt told friends and colleagues who gathered at the retirement tea. “It’s clear the medical center has made great strides during the last 20 years and I’m glad I was here when that happened. This place is on a roll.”
Dr. Berndt, 68, joined UNMC in 1982, after having served 13 years on the faculty at Dartmouth Medical School and eight years at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He joined UNMC as a professor of pharmacology and dean for graduate studies and research. Three years later, he was elevated to vice chancellor. He served as interim vice chancellor from 1991 to 1992 and chancellor from 1996 to 1998. He most recently served as vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies.
“Bill has responded to every responsibility thrust upon him with excellence and honor,” said Bob Bartee, executive assistant to the chancellor. During Dr. Berndt’s tenure, he helped transform the research enterprise, oversaw curriculum reform, strengthened UNMC’s rural and urban outreach programs, and set in place the procedures that led to the merger of University and Clarkson hospitals.
Dr. Maurer applauded Dr. Berndt’s leadership, especially the years he served as chancellor. “He made a number of bold moves, very quietly, without any ego, to get the medical center back on track. All of us should be extremely grateful for the leadership he displayed.”
Dr. Berndt and his wife, Bonnie, have five children and 10 grandchildren who live in Blair, Fort Calhoun, Miami, Kansas City, and Austin, Texas.
Photos in descending order: 1) Bill Berndt, Ph.D., right, accepts a plaque of appreciation from Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., at Dr. Berndt’s retirement tea Tuesday afternoon. Dr. Berndt later received a piece of glass artwork for his 20 years of service in key administrative posts at UNMC; 2) Dr. Maurer, left, praises Dr. Berndt for leading the Medical Center during difficult times in the mid-1990s. Dr. Berndt was chancellor when University and Clarkson hospitals merged to form Nebraska Health System; 3) Dr. Berndt chats with Sam Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the UNMC department of pathology and microbiology.