New Posvar Chair a former MIT executive director

Despite a lengthy and impressive resume that lists positions in Congress, past presidential… Despite a lengthy and impressive resume that lists positions in Congress, past presidential administrations and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. William W. Keller nonetheless considers his new job at Pitt to be the “crowning glory” of his prestigious career.

While not many universities can boast they’ve had faculty step down from MIT to accept a position within their ranks, the latest on Pitt’s list of notable achievements is the appointment of Dr. Keller as director of the Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Studies and holder of the Posvar Chair in International Securities Studies.

A newly established position, the Posvar Chair, is to honor former Chancellor Wesley W. Posvar. Serving from 1967-1991, Posvar is regarded as a pioneer in the field of international relations during his tenure, having established the University Center for International Studies.

The Posvar Chair will always be held in conjunction with the directorship of the University’s Ridgway Center, which is simultaneously part of UCIS and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Concentrating on a critical issue in light of Sept. 11, 2001, the Ridgway Center is charged with producing innovative strategies for national security. On the anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, Keller made his first appearance in his official capacity by moderating a UCIS-GSPIA panel discussion titled “September 11 – Perspectives Abroad.”

A current focus of the Ridgway Center, the concept of preemptive intervention can be explained as taking a proactive stance on security issues by assessing indications of ensuing conflict and taking steps to end these problems before they exacerbate. As an example, Keller points to the situation in Iraq and questions when it is permissible for the United States to step in.

In addition to being a well-published author, Keller has served as a public affairs specialist in the U.S. Department of the Interior and as a staff member in the Carter administration. His extensive work with the government also includes congressional experience as a senior analyst for the Office of Technology Assessment, where he directed studies and headed delegations to Europe and Asia.

Prior to accepting his current position at Pitt, Keller acted as executive director of the Center for International Studies at MIT since 1997.

UCIS Director William Brustein cited the “superior reputation of Pitt’s International Studies Department” as a fundamental reason that the University is able to attract the interest of such well-versed scholars as Dr. Keller.

In a University press release, Chancellor Nordenberg commented that, “We could not have found a more worthy individual to hold this chair and to direct the Ridgway Center.”

The release also quoted GSPIA dean Carolyn Ban as noting that “the breadth of [Keller’s] academic interests and experience is impressive, and his work addresses some of the most pressing contemporary policy issues.”

Keller said opportunities were the main selling point of Pitt – the opportunity to direct the Ridgway Center, the opportunity to think of creative solutions to international security problems and the opportunity for more profession freedom. According to Keller, “Things [at MIT] are really set. The center there is 50 years old, which makes it difficult to design new programs.” He feels that Pitt, on the other hand, provides an atmosphere conducive to the innovation and creativity these security issues demand. As a professor in GSPIA, Dr. Keller looks forward to “a lot more interaction with ideas and students … hopefully [GSPIA] will train a student who will go to Washington and make a difference.”

Keller’s said his upcoming plans include kicking off a major fundraising initiative and eventually expanding the Ridgway Center.