WASHINGTON Purdue University President France Cordova was installed today as chairwoman of the Smithsonian Institutions governing board as the museum complex expands with the coming construction of a new black history museum and calls for another focused on Latino American heritage.
As Cordova begins her three-year term, she will maintain her post at the Indiana university. Cordova will lead oversight and support fundraising for the worlds largest group of museums and research centers. Cordova is an astrophysicist and previously held posts in the University of California system and was chief scientist at NASA.
Cordova succeeds Patty Stonesifer, a former Microsoft executive and former chief executive of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Stonesifer has served as chairwoman since 2009 and will become vice chair of the board.
The Smithsonian is developing its first institution-wide capital campaign to increase private support. Congress provides about 70 percent of the Smithsonians budget, but funds for programs and exhibits must be raised privately.