Lewis Duncan (2004-2014)

Lewis Duncan (2004-2014)

Description

Lewis M. Duncan is a physicist, academic leader, and former president of Rollins College, where he served from 2004 to 2014. During his decade-long tenure, he guided the College to sustained national recognition, including maintaining its top ranking among regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Under his leadership, Rollins became a leading producer of Fulbright Scholars, expanded international enrollment, launched new academic programs, and significantly increased its endowment and fundraising success.

Duncan oversaw transformative projects at Rollins, including the expansion of the Archibald Granville Bush Science Center and the creation of The Alfond Inn, a hotel whose proceeds fund student scholarships. His presidency was marked by a strong commitment to community engagement, culminating in the College’s designation as a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U and recognition by federal agencies for service learning. He also founded the Winter Park Institute, a distinguished speaker series that enriched intellectual life on campus and in the broader community.

Duncan holds bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics, as well as a master’s and Ph.D. in space physics, all from Rice University. An internationally recognized expert in space plasma physics and radiophysics, he has remained active in research and teaching throughout his career. He is also known for his work on the societal and ethical implications of emerging technologies and has contributed to national conversations on science policy, educational reform, and international security.

His previous academic leadership roles include serving as provost and acting president at the University of Tulsa, and as dean of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, where he established multiple research centers focused on security and infrastructure protection. He later served as provost of the U.S. Naval War College, the top civilian academic post at one of the world’s premier institutions for military education.

Earlier in his career, Duncan held research and academic appointments at Clemson University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Stanford University. He has served on numerous national boards and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, overseeing the U.S. National Laboratory on the International Space Station.

A member of honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, Duncan is also an Associated Fellow of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, supporting global applications of satellite technology through UNOSAT. His accolades include the Alan Berman Research Publication Award from the Naval Research Laboratory.

First Year of Presidency

2004

Lewis Duncan (2004-2014)
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