Former Princeton VP Mark Burstein Installed as 16th President of Lawrence University

APPLETON, WIS. — Former Princeton University executive vice president Mark Burstein was installed as Lawrence University's 16th president Saturday, Oct. 26 during formal inauguration ceremonies in the college's Memorial Chapel.

A native of Cedar Grove, N.J., Burstein is the first Jewish president in Lawrence's 166-year history.

Delegates, including 13 presidents, representing more than 60 colleges, universities and academic consortia from across the country, Princeton, MIT, Stanford and Yale among them, participated in the inauguration ceremonies.

Former Princeton President Shirley Tilghman was among the dignitaries who delivered remarks of congratulations during the 70-minute ceremony, which was highlighted by a surprise video congratulations from Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy. 

After the video, Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna presented Burstein with a Green Bay Packers jersey, no. 16, symbolic as Lawrence's 16th president. 

Burstein, 52, spent nine years (2004-2013) at Princeton before coming to Lawrence. Prior to Princeton, Burstein spent 10 years at Columbia University in various roles, including vice president of facilities management and vice president of student services.

He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Vassar College, where he is a member of the Board of Trustees, and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

About Lawrence University
Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book "Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College." Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.