Rate My Professor George Blumenthal

George Blumenthal is Chancellor Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and Astrophysics in the field of Space Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he joined the faculty in 1972. He received a B.S. in Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1966 and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, San Diego in 1971. A theoretical astrophysicist, Blumenthal's research centers on cosmology, particularly the origin of large-scale structure in the universe, galaxy formation, and the role of dark matter. He played a key role in developing the cold dark matter theory, now the prevailing model for structure formation. His scholarly output includes over 75 peer-reviewed publications, such as the seminal 1984 Nature paper "Formation of galaxies and large-scale structure with cold dark matter," and co-authorship of widely used textbooks 21st Century Astronomy (2002–2018 editions) and Understanding Our Universe (2012–2017 editions).

Blumenthal has held prominent administrative positions, including two terms as Chair of the UCSC Astronomy and Astrophysics Department (1979–1981, 1991–1997), Chair of the Santa Cruz Division of the Academic Senate (2001–2003), Chair of the University of California Systemwide Academic Senate (2004–2005), and Faculty Representative to the UC Regents (2003–2005). He served as Acting Chancellor from 2006 to 2007 and as the 10th Chancellor of UC Santa Cruz from 2007 to 2019. During his chancellorship, the campus saw enrollment growth, increased diversity with a 50% rise in underrepresented minority undergraduates, doubled NIH funding, and major infrastructure expansions. He spearheaded the UC "rebenching" effort for equitable funding. Awards include the 2010 C. Oliver Johnson Award, 2012 CUCSA Outstanding Senior Leadership Award, and 2011 honorary Ph.D. from UW-Milwaukee. Blumenthal serves on boards including the California Association for Research in Astronomy and Joint Venture Silicon Valley.