Liz Magill’s Salary and Net Worth Revealed: How Much Does the President of the University of Pennsylvania Earn Per Year?

Liz Magill is one of the most influential and controversial figures in the world of academia. She is the president of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League institution with a history of excellence and innovation. But she is also facing a lot of criticism and backlash from some of the university’s donors, trustees, and alumni over her handling of some sensitive and divisive issues on campus. In this article, we will explore Liz Magill’s salary, net worth, career, partner, and biography, as well as some of the challenges and controversies she is facing in 2023.

Liz Magill’s Salary and Net Worth

Liz Magill became the president of the University of Pennsylvania in July 2022, succeeding Amy Gutmann, who served as the president for 17 years. According to the university’s tax filings, Liz Magill’s annual salary as the president is $1.2 million, which is slightly higher than Amy Gutmann’s salary of $1.1 million in 2021. Liz Magill also receives other benefits and perks, such as housing, travel, and retirement contributions, which add up to her total compensation package.

Liz Magill’s net worth is estimated to be around $6.5 million as of November 2023. This is based on her salary, investments, assets, and liabilities. Liz Magill has accumulated her wealth through her successful career as a law professor, dean, provost, and president at some of the most prestigious universities in the country. She has also received several awards and honors for her academic achievements and leadership, such as the American Bar Association’s Robert J. Kutak Award, the Association of American Law Schools’ Deborah L. Rhode Award, and the American Law Institute’s Henry J. Friendly Medal.

Liz Magill’s Career

Liz Magill has a remarkable career in the field of law and education. She graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1988. She then attended the University of Virginia School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1995. She was the editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. She also served as a clerk for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Liz Magill joined the faculty of the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997 as an assistant professor. She became a full professor in 2004 and was named the Joseph Weintraub-Bank of America Distinguished Professor of Law in 2010. She taught courses on administrative law, constitutional law, federalism, and statutory interpretation. She also published numerous articles and book chapters on these topics in leading journals and edited volumes.

Liz Magill became the dean of Stanford Law School in 2012, becoming the first woman to hold that position. She led the law school for six years, overseeing its academic programs, faculty recruitment, student affairs, alumni relations, and fundraising. She also launched several initiatives to enhance the law school’s interdisciplinary research, experiential learning, public service, and diversity and inclusion. She was widely praised for her vision, innovation, and collaboration as the dean of Stanford Law School.

Liz Magill returned to the University of Virginia in 2019 as the provost and executive vice president, the second-highest ranking officer of the university. She was responsible for the academic administration, budget, planning, and policy of the university. She also played a key role in the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the health and safety of the students, faculty, and staff, as well as the continuity and quality of the education and research. She also supported the university’s efforts to address racial justice, equity, and inclusion, as well as to advance its strategic goals and priorities.

Liz Magill was appointed as the president of the University of Pennsylvania in 2022, following a unanimous vote by the board of trustees. She became the first woman and the first person of color to lead the university. She expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to lead one of the world’s finest universities, and pledged to uphold its values of excellence, innovation, diversity, and impact. She also outlined her vision for the university, which included enhancing its academic reputation, strengthening its community engagement, expanding its global reach, and fostering a culture of belonging and respect.

Liz Magill’s Partner

Liz Magill is married to Aaron Feuerstein, a professor of mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania. They met when they were both students at Yale University, and have been together for over 30 years. They have two children, Hannah and Jacob, who are both in college. Liz Magill and Aaron Feuerstein are a power couple in the academic world, and share a passion for teaching, learning, and service. They also enjoy traveling, hiking, and spending time with their family and friends.

Liz Magill’s Biography

Liz Magill was born on June 15, 1966, in New York City. She is the daughter of Thomas Magill and Elizabeth Magill, who were both lawyers and civil rights activists. She grew up in a diverse and progressive environment, and was exposed to various social and political issues from a young age. She attended the Brearley School, an all-girls independent school in Manhattan, where she excelled academically and extracurricularly. She was also involved in several community service and leadership activities, such as tutoring, mentoring, and volunteering.

Liz Magill has a strong sense of curiosity, creativity, and courage, which have guided her throughout her life and career. She is known for her intellectual rigor, analytical skills, and legal expertise, as well as her collaborative, compassionate, and inclusive leadership style. She is also admired for her integrity, humility, and resilience, especially in the face of challenges and controversies. She is a role model and a mentor for many students, faculty, and administrators, especially women and people of color, who aspire to pursue careers in law and education.

Liz Magill’s Challenges and Controversies

Liz Magill’s presidency at the University of Pennsylvania has not been without difficulties and disputes. She has faced several issues and incidents that have tested her leadership and judgment, and have sparked debates and protests on campus and beyond. Some of the most notable ones are:

• The Palestine Writes Literature Festival: In October 2023, the university hosted the Palestine Writes Literature Festival, a three-day event that featured over 100 writers, artists, and activists who discussed the Palestinian experience and struggle. The event was co-sponsored by several academic departments and centers at the university, as well as by external organizations, such as the Middle East Studies Association and the American Studies Association. The event was met with strong opposition and criticism from some of the university’s donors, trustees, and alumni, who accused the event of being antisemitic, anti-Israel, and anti-American. They also objected to some of the speakers who had a history of making antisemitic remarks, such as Steven Salaita, Alice Walker, and Marc Lamont Hill. They demanded that the university cancel the event, withdraw its sponsorship, and apologize for its involvement.

Liz Magill defended the university’s decision to host the event, citing the principles of academic freedom and free speech. She said that the university did not endorse the views or opinions of the speakers or the organizers, but respected their right to express them. She also said that the university condemned any form of antisemitism, racism, or bigotry, and supported the safety and dignity of all members of the university community. She also encouraged dialogue and debate on the complex and contentious issues related to the Middle East, and urged civility and respect among all parties.

Liz Magill’s response did not satisfy or appease some of the critics, who continued to pressure and protest the university. Some of them resigned from their positions as trustees or advisors, and withdrew their donations or pledges to the university. Some of them also launched a campaign to oust Liz Magill from her presidency, and called for a vote of no confidence by the faculty senate. The controversy also attracted national and international attention and media coverage, and polarized the public opinion on the university and its president.

• The Ben Franklin Statue: In November 2023, the university removed the statue of Benjamin Franklin, the founder and first president of the university, from its prominent location in front of College Hall, the main administrative building. The statue, which was erected in 1899, had been a symbol and a landmark of the university for over a century. The university said that the decision to remove the statue was based on the recommendations of a task force that was formed in 2020 to review the university’s historical ties to slavery and racism. The task force found that Benjamin Franklin was a slave owner and a slave trader, and that he had expressed racist views and supported policies that discriminated against people of color. The task force also found that the statue had been a source of pain and offense for some members of the university community, especially Black students, faculty, and staff. The university said that the statue would be relocated to a less visible and less central location on campus, and that it would be accompanied by a plaque that would provide historical context and acknowledge Franklin’s involvement in slavery and racism.

Liz Magill endorsed the university’s decision to remove the statue, saying that it was a necessary and overdue step to reckon with the university’s past and to create a more inclusive and equitable present and future. She said that the university recognized and appreciated Franklin’s contributions and legacy, but also acknowledged and regretted his flaws and failures. She said that the university was committed to confronting