Two accomplished alumni have been selected to lead Colgate University’s Board of Trustees. Denis F. Cronin ’69 was elected chair, and Robert A. Kindler ’76 was named vice chair during the group’s June meeting.
Cronin succeeds J. Christopher Clifford ’67, and Kindler follows Margaret A. Flanagan ’80, board veterans who took up their leadership positions in 2007.
Newly elected Board of Trustees Chair Denis F. Cronin ’69 (right) greets President Jeffrey Herbst during an inaugural tour event. With them is New York City Alumni Club Director Joanna Allegretti ’05. |
“By any measure — endowment, applicant pool, faculty recruitment, research, the success of Passion for the Climb: The Campaign for Colgate — our university is operating from a position of strength thanks to the efforts of outstanding leaders like Chris Clifford and Peg Flanagan,” said Cronin. “We must continue that advancement, highlight the teaching and research excellence of our professors, and expand access to the Colgate experience.”
Cronin received a Maroon Citation and the Wm. Brian Little ’64 Award for Distinguished Service while compiling a lengthy record of alumni volunteerism and support for Colgate: He chaired the silent phase of the Passion for the Climb capital campaign, was a member of the search committee that hired Jeffrey Herbst as Colgate’s 16th president, spent two years on the Alumni Council, and was a member of the Parents’ Steering Committee of the Society of Families — a position also held by his wife, Linda. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2008 and was re-elected last April.
While a student, Cronin earned his bachelor’s degree in history, was the captain of the varsity basketball team, and was selected for Konosioni honor society membership. He is a former senior partner, now Of Counsel, to the law firm of Vinson & Elkins in New York City. A former partner at the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, he is a trustee and past-president of the Fordham Law School Alumni Association.
Robert Kindler, global head of mergers and acquisitions and vice chairman of Morgan Stanley, and former partner at the law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, has been a member of Colgate’s Board of Trustees since 2002, serving as a member of the board’s executive committee and in a number of other leadership capacities.
Like Cronin, Kindler is a Maroon Citation and Wm. Brian Little award recipient. He is a former Konosioni member as well, but his undergraduate degree came from the Department of English, magna cum laude.
Kindler went on to earn his law degree from the NYU School of Law, where he is a trustee. He also serves on the boards of the March of Dimes (New York division) and Levin Institute.
Both Kindler and Cronin are rooted in the Colgate community — not only through their own experiences but also through those of their children. Kindler is the father of Emily ’04, William ’08, and Dylan ’12; Cronin is the father of Denis ’09 and Megan ’10.
“We are fortunate to have such a talented community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni, led by President Jeffrey Herbst,” said Kindler. “It will be a privilege to work with each of the board’s 35 alumni and parent members because they all strive to help Colgate offer one of the best liberal arts programs anywhere.”