Blackboard, a distance education company, has tapped Teachers College President Arthur Levine to be a director on its board. In what is becoming somewhat of a trend, information technology companies are trying to associate themselves with with prominent academic names. Levine will become the first person who is not an employee or an investor to serve as a director for the company.

Levine says that his motive for accepting the directorship were "very selfish." -- "I wanted to learn. This is the way higher education is going to go," he said, "This was a way to be right at the table." Levine said that any remuneration would be given to TC.

The article, entitled "New Technology Companies Go After Academics for Their Boards" appeared in the February 4 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Published Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2001