Northwestern alumnus and Chicago mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel appointed another NU community member, former University President Henry S. Bienen, to the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education on April 18.
The appointment did not particularly surprise Bienen, he said. He worked on Emanuel’s Economic Development and PlanningCommittee and knew the future mayor when Bienen was president of NU.
“He knew I was open to doing some kind of service in respect to the City of Chicago, and it was up to him to suggest what that service might be,” Bienen said.
Although he does not know his specific responsibilities, the president emeritus said the board members have an “oversight role,” and the responsibilities are not “administrative operating jobs.”
Some of the board’s general responsibilities, however, will include approving budgets and consolidating schools.
Besides his CPS board membership, Bienen also has experience in other Chicago-area organizations. He is an honorary trustee for the Shedd Aquarium, a member of the executive committee of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a member of the executive committee on the Steppenwolf Theatre Company Board.
Bienen said he is looking forward to assuming the position.
“I’m sure it will be interesting,” he said. “For the future of Chicago, it’s very important to have a strong and viable education system.”
This summer, Bienen will teach a master class in SESP on the globalization of higher education.
