Robert D. Coombe, 2005 July-2014 June

Robert Coombe served as the 17th chancellor of the University of Denver from 2005 to 2014. Coombe understood the university from all levels—he had previously served DU as a professor, faculty chair, dean, vice provost, and provost before he was named chancellor. Coombe focused heavily on supporting and maintaining an excellent faculty body, increasing faculty tenure lines to attract the brightest and the best to the institution. During his tenure as chancellor, he invested in smaller student-faculty ratios and helped develop DU as a place of intellectual curiosity, incorporating interdisciplinary programming and pioneering dual-degree programs. As provost, Coombe established the Cherrington Global Scholars Program, a program that continues to impact the student experience today.