Spaniolo started legal career representing newspapers
By Kurt Anthony Krug
Legal News
James D. Spaniolo, a Port Huron native, announced his retirement in July as president of the University of Texas at Arlington, a position he held for 8-1/2 years.
“After careful thought, I have concluded it is the appropriate time to pass the baton and let others continue the stewardship of our remarkable institution. It has been the highest honor of my career to have served as president of UT Arlington for the past 8-1/2 years, and I will devote myself in the months ahead to assuring a smooth transition in leadership,” Spaniolo, 66, said in a statement.
Spaniolo is the son of the late Victor Spaniolo, a newspaper publisher, who owned several newspapers in Michigan, including the weekly Charlevoix Courier, the Cassopolis Vigilant and the Edwardsburg Argus. An alumnus of Michigan State University, the elder Spaniolo was a founding member and chair of the Board of Directors when The State News, MSU’s student newspaper, became an independent, non-profit corporation in 1971.
Like his father, Spaniolo is also an alumnus of MSU and worked for The State News. In fact, he became its editor-in-chief from 1967-68. He graduated from MSU with honors an undergraduate degree in political science. He went on to earn a graduate degree in public policy and a juris doctorate in law both from the University of Michigan. Additionally, he served in the Army Reserves.
His career began as an assistant to then-MSU President Clifton Wharton. As a lawyer, Spaniolo represented The Miami Herald, eventually becoming the daily newspaper’s general counsel. He later established the legal department for the American Newspaper Publishers Association.
Spaniolo served as a newspaper executive for more than a decade, including stints as vice-president of human resources and assistant to the publisher of the Detroit Free Press. He would later serve as vice-president and chief program officer of the Knight Foundation, an organization promoted to the innovation and advancement of journalism and mass media. Spaniolo returned to academics — and to his alma mater. In 1997, he became the dean of MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CCAS). He held that position from 1997-2003 before becoming UT Arlington’s 7th president.
Upon taking office Feb. 1, 2004, one of Spaniolo’s goals for UT Arlington was to make it more than just a commuter school. Under his leadership, UT Arlington has transformed into a vibrant residential campus of what has become a growing college town. He is widely credited for boosting and improving the university’s profile by boosting enrollment, increasing research expenditures, recruiting new faculty, assembling a strong executive team, strengthening its academic profile, leading the way in online and international education programs, and constructing major new facilities.
“I am so proud of where the University is today. UT Arlington’s record-setting achievements demonstrate what we have accomplished together. No matter the measure, our institution has made great progress in the past decade. UT Arlington is thriving and is well positioned for the future, and the transformation we have ignited will guide the way for years to come,” said Spaniolo.
The most visible evidence of his contribution to the university, as well as the city of Arlington itself, is the is the development of the College Park District, a 20-acre, mixed-use development that includes a new events center, a 4-acre park, a residence hall, student apartments, retail space and an 1,850-space parking facility. The centerpiece of the development is the College Park Center, an athletics and special events facility Spaniolo made a commitment to build early on in his administration.
Spaniolo has stated in interviews with various media outlets that the impetus of his retirement was a personal decision that it was time to move on rather than any outside pressure, inter-political strife, or a particular event. He also said that he is not seeking a university presidency elsewhere.
“President Spaniolo has been a magnificent leader of a very progressive effort at UT Arlington,” said William Eugene Powell, chairman of The UT System Board of Regents. “He was ahead of the curve of most universities in augmenting the classroom experience with blended and online learning, successfully reaching out to more than 6,000 additional students. His ability to build the academic stature of UT Arlington and recruit and retain excellent faculty without requesting any undergraduate tuition increases this year is a testament to his excellent stewardship of resources. He has served with distinction, and the Board of Regents is grateful for his vision, leadership and collegial spirit.”
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