D. Bruce Johnstone is a scholar of international comparative higher education finance, governance and policy formation. He directs the International Comparative Higher Education Finance and Accessibility Project, a 10-year examination into the worldwide shift of higher education costs from governments and taxpayers to parents and students. He was a university administrator for 25 years as vice president for administration at the University of Pennsylvania, president of the State University College of Buffalo and as chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. He is currently the Distinguished Service Professor of Higher and Comparative Education Emeritus at the State University of New York at Buffalo. 

Fifteen years ago, Bruce was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He successfully fought it, “with the same vigor and dedication he has shown throughout his life, and we are grateful he did,” said one nomination. He went back to teaching, and then focused in his work worldwide on financing higher education. “Today, when a country needs help funding their college system, they reach out to the World Bank and the bank then calls Bruce. Bruce has become the foremost authority on the subject and still travels the world when called on,” said another nomination. “Bruce is a champion. We are so proud of him.”

In high school, Bruce was a starter in football, basketball and track, receiving All-State honorable mention in football, conference championship for basketball and was captain of the track team.

Johnstone holds Bachelors (in economics) and Masters (in teaching) degrees from Harvard where he had earned a scholarship. He also holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Minnesota, and Honorary Doctorates from D’Youville College, Towson State College and California State University at San Diego.  He was named a SUNY (State University of New York) Distinguished Professor in 2005. In 2007 he was named the Distinguished Scholar Leader of the Fulbright New Century Scholars program, an international program. He is the author of 115 books and articles. His latest book is entitled, Financing Higher Education: Cost-Sharing in International Perspective. He lives with his wife Gail in Buffalo, New York.