25 Facts About Elizabeth Garrett

Helen Elizabeth Garrett, commonly known as Elizabeth Garrett or Beth Garrett, was an American professor of law and academic administrator.

Elizabeth Garrett died from colon cancer on March 6,2016, the first Cornell president to die while in office.

Elizabeth Garrett's parents taught her and her sister Laura that when they finished a task, they should start on something else.

Elizabeth Garrett earned her Bachelor of Arts in history with special distinction from the University of Oklahoma in 1985.

Elizabeth Garrett was co-editor of Fiscal Challenges: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Budget Policy and Statutory Interpretation Stories.

Elizabeth Garrett was a professor of law at the University of Chicago from 1995 to 1999 and served as deputy dean for academic affairs.

Elizabeth Garrett taught as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Virginia Law School, Central European University in Budapest, and the Interdisciplinary Center Law School in Israel.

In 2005, US President George W Bush appointed Garrett to serve on the nine-member bipartisan President's Advisory Panel for Federal Tax Reform.

On March 30,2009, US President Barack Obama nominated Elizabeth Garrett to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy in the Department of Treasury.

Elizabeth Garrett served as director of the USC-Caltech Center for the Study of Law and Politics.

Elizabeth Garrett hired Provost Professors and founded the Provost's Postdoctoral Scholars Program in the Humanities.

Elizabeth Garrett was selected after a six-month search in which some two hundred candidates were considered.

Elizabeth Garrett was the first woman selected to lead Cornell University.

Elizabeth Garrett delivered her inaugural address in front of the iconic statue of Ezra Cornell.

Elizabeth Garrett spoke of "the spirit of Cornell that frames our journey" and stressed the importance of the faculty as the foundation of the university; students as partners in the voyage of discovery; and the university's growing presence in New York City as a source of opportunity.

Elizabeth Garrett said that the recruitment, development and retention of the best faculty remained Cornell University's paramount priorities.

Elizabeth Garrett spoke of focusing on the residential undergraduate experience, defining as a community the shared intellectual experience all Cornell students should encounter.

Later in the day, Elizabeth Garrett moderated a panel on democracy and inequality in Bailey Hall, bringing together eminent faculty to explore how inequality interacts with immigration, access to education and health care, job creation and economic opportunity.

Several of Elizabeth Garrett's decisions sparked controversy, including her reversal of President Emeritus David Skorton's 2035 carbon neutrality goal and the January 2016 decision to form the College of Business.

Elizabeth Garrett emphasized the importance of supporting every Cornell constituency and often expressed her support for students and faculty.

Elizabeth Garrett died on March 6,2016, from colon cancer at her New York City home at the age of 52.

Elizabeth Garrett was the first Cornell president to die while in office.

Elizabeth Garrett first shared her cancer diagnosis with the Cornell University community February 8,2016, in a statement.

Elizabeth Garrett underwent surgery February 19,2016, and officially delegated the duties and powers of the presidency to Provost Michael Kotlikoff, as provided by the Cornell University Bylaws.

Elizabeth Garrett would send cross-stitched works to her family and friends.