SALT LAKE CITY - Dr. Michael S. Bassis, the former president of Westminster University, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024, surrounded by his daughters. Dr. Bassis was the sixteenth president and served for 10 years between 2002 and 2012.
At the time of his passing, Dr. Bassis lived in Springfield, VA after moving there in the summer of 2023 to be close to his beloved wife, Mary Bassis. A memorial service will be held in Alexandria, Virginia in July.
At Westminster University, Dr. Bassis is remembered as someone who transformed experiential learning opportunities for students as well as the physical campus during his time as President. He emphasized co-curricular learning through various centers, sports teams, and service-learning opportunities, reminding us that student learning occurs both in and out of the classroom. He also oversaw the creation of stunning new buildings and gathering spaces for students like the Dolores Doré Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center.
An authority on educational change and an active participant in the national conversation on the future of higher education, Dr. Bassis had a wide range of experiences as a teacher, scholar, and administrator over his 30-year career in higher education. Upon his appointment at Westminster in July 2002, Dr. Bassis embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process which resulted in the development of a new, innovative, and ambitious 10-year Strategic Plan for the college. The plan, endorsed by the faculty and adopted by the Board of Trustees, focused on bringing Westminster into national prominence as an institution distinguished by its distinctive educational programs, its record of preparing graduates for success in a rapidly changing world, and its commitment to continuous improvement, effectiveness, and value. Dr. Bassis led the institution in creating 19 undergraduate and 9 graduate programs.
In addition to education, Dr. Bassis also had a passion for providing students with more opportunities in athletics.
“He was instrumental with the initial startup of the men’s lacrosse program in 2005 when the Dolores Doré Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center and Dumke Field opened. Initially men’s lacrosse started as a club program and eventually evolved into a varsity NCAA II program. "This emphasis in athletics also led to the establishment of women's lacrosse as a club and eventual varsity NCAA II program,” said Shay Wyatt, Director of Athletics.
Chris Wharton, a Westminster alum who served as Student Body President from 2005-2006 and who now serves on the Salt Lake City Council, remembers that Dr. Bassis made an effort to make sure the entire campus community felt appreciated.
“He used to give out these colorful glass stars to every student, staff and faculty member who finished a challenging project or accomplished something meaningful for the University. I still have the green star he gave me. Over time, these stars started appearing in offices, classrooms and other places around campus. It was a great way to recognize the hard work of everyone who helped make Westminster a success,” said Wharton.
Before coming to Westminster University, Dr. Bassis served as the chief academic and administrative officer of New College of Florida, a small, highly selective, and innovative public liberal arts college. He presided over the college's change in status from a college of the University of South Florida to an independent institution in the State University System.
As president of Olivet College in Michigan from 1993–98, Dr. Bassis led a successful effort of institutional transformation and revitalization. At the center of this effort was a collaborative planning process that produced a new institutional vision, a new curriculum, and a campus-wide statement of expectations. Over a period of 5 years, Olivet was recognized for its successful efforts at institutional renewal by the American Council on Education, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the John Templeton Foundation. Dr. Bassis's role in the Olivet transformation was chronicled by Stephen R. Covey in his book, Living the Seven Habits.
Prior to Olivet, Dr. Bassis served as executive vice president and university provost at Antioch University. Earlier in his career, he held senior administrative positions at Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Preceding these appointments, Dr. Bassis spent 10 years as a faculty member in the department of sociology and anthropology at the University of Rhode Island. He served as chair of the undergraduate education section of the American Sociological Association, editor of the journal Teaching Sociology, and as a senior fellow with the Project on the Future of Higher Education. In addition, he has served on the Commission on Women and the Commission on Leadership and Change at the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Society for Experiential Education and the Board of Trustees of Defiance College. A graduate of Brown University, Dr. Bassis earned a master's degree and PhD in the sociology of education from the University of Chicago.
Dr. Bassis is survived by Mary, as well as his 4 children: Betsy Bassis, Christina Bassis, Jessica Roth, and Nicholas Bassis. Michael also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, 2 sisters, and a loving extended family.
With sincere gratitude, we remember the service of an amazing leader and the enduring legacy of Dr. Michael S. Bassis.
In 2012, Westminster established the Michael and Mary Bassis Scholarship Fund, an endowed fund that represents Michael’s and Mary’s philosophy—a commitment to diversity in higher education and belief in the importance of social responsibility and civic engagement. Gifts can be made in Michael’s memory to the Michael and Mary Bassis Scholarship here.
