UUP President To Run National Labor College

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

United University Professions President William E. Scheuerman has been tapped by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney to head the National Labor College.

WILLIAM SCHEUERMAN: Widens focus.

Frederick G. Floss, formerly vice president of academics, will serve as UUP's acting president until the union's delegate assembly elects someone in February to fill out Mr. Scheuerman's term. The 14-year incumbent stepped down on Nov. 30 and began his tenure at the NLC on Dec. 3. The college is the only accredited institution in the country whose primary focus is the education of union members, activists and staff.

A Larger Challenge

"I leave my colleagues at UUP with mixed emotions," said Mr. Scheuerman in a statement. "At the same time, I look forward with great enthusiasm to tackling the many challenges facing the national labor movement, and to working with John Sweeney to strengthen and grow organized labor by educating the next generation of unionists."

Originally founded by the AFL-CIO in 1969 as the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, the center became the NLC in 1997. It offers degree completion programs for union members seeking to finish their college education. Students can take classes on-line and in-person, allowing them to continue to work while they pursue their degree. Mr. Scheuerman will replace Susan J. Schurman, who retired from the college on June 30th.

Ranks Grew

Under Mr. Scheuerman's watch, UUP's ranks grew from 21,000 in the mid-1990's to 33,000 in 2007. He served on the executive committee of UUP's national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, and chaired the AFT's higher education program and policy council. He was also a member of UUP's state affiliate New York State United Teachers' executive board and chaired that body's higher education committee.

"The National Labor College has come a long way in the last 10 years and we sought a presidential candidate who could continue our progress and lead the college to new heights," said Mr. Sweeney in a statement. "In Bill Scheuerman we have a man of scholarly achievement and union integrity and leadership."