To members of the University of Miami community,
We are saddened to share that Luis Glaser, who for nearly two decades as provost steered the University of Miami’s academic growth as one on of the nation’s leading research universities and was a proponent of collaborative and interdisciplinary study, passed away on Dec. 23. He was 88.
During his tenure as executive vice president and provost, from 1986 to 2005, Dr. Glaser focused on enhancing the strength of the University’s faculty and professionally was considered a brilliant scholar who mentored many faculty and students.
In the later years of his tenure, Dr. Glaser and Stephen Sapp, a professor in the Department of Religious Studies, pioneered and jointly taught a cross-disciplinary course entitled “Ethics and Genetics.” The course explored the areas of science, social science, and the humanities and was popular with students across multiple academic fields.
The University established the Luis Glaser Fellowship in Integrated Teaching and Learning, which is open to faculty and celebrates Dr. Glaser’s commitment to the University and his unique approach to cross-disciplinary teaching and learning.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Dr. Glaser grew up in Mexico City, graduated from the University of Toronto, and received his Ph.D. in biochemistry at Washington University in St. Louis. He served as a professor and chair of the division of biomedical sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, which is also where he met his wife, Ruth.
In addition to Ruth, he is survived by daughters Miriam Lipsky, director of student affairs assessment and projects at the University, and Nicole Glaser, and five granddaughters.
