William G. Bowen, 2001 Grawemeyer Award in Education co-recipient, passes away

William G. Bowen, co-winner of the 2001 Grawemeyer Award in Education, died last week. He was 83.

Bowen and Derek Bok were recognized for their book, The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions, which outlined their research study on the academic, employment and life histories of more than 90,000 students who attended 28 academically selective colleges and universities throughout the country. They then systematically addressed many of the issues raised by critics of race-sensitive policies. The issues included drop-out rates and demoralization of minority students attending institutions under selective admissions guidelines, the effect selective admissions has on diversity and racial tension, and alternatives to race-sensitive admissions.

Read Dr. Bowen’s obituary in The New York Times.