Michael T. Aiken, former provost of the University of Pennsylvania, former Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, and a former professor of sociology in the School of Arts & Sciences, died on August 25, 2025, in Cody, Wyoming. He was 93. 

Born in 1932 in El Dorado, Arkansas, Dr. Aiken moved with his family to Sardis, Mississippi, where he graduated from high school. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, and mathematics from the University of Mississippi in 1954, then enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he received his master’s degree in sociology in 1955. He then entered the U.S. Army for a 3.5-year tour of duty, most of which he spent in France, before returning to the University of Michigan and earning his PhD in sociology in 1964.

From 1963 to 1984, Dr. Aiken served on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a tenure that included two years (1980 to 1982) as associate dean of the College of Letters and Science. He also held visiting professor positions at Columbia University in New York City, Washington University in St. Louis, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and Université Catholique de Louvain (the last two in Belgium). While at these institutions, he conducted research in organizational theory and authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed publications on job displacement and unemployment, community structure and identification of leadership, politics in several European cities, and other topics relating to the sociology of organizations. 

In 1984, Dr. Aiken came to Penn as a professor of sociology in the School of Arts & Sciences. A year into his time at Penn, he was named Dean of the school (Almanac May 28, 1985). “Michael Aiken is a leader,” said then-Penn provost Tom Ehrlich. “In the course of his distinguished career, he has been a leading scholar, teacher, and administrator. He understands the centrality of the liberal arts and will move forcefully and effectively to enhance the school and its strengths. He is also a deeply caring person with a strong commitment to affirmative action. He will be a superb Dean.” As Dean, Dr. Aiken led the SAS faculty in developing a school-wide five-year plan and in overhauling undergraduate distribution requirements. Two years, later, Dr. Aiken was elected Penn’s provost (Almanac September 1, 1987). Penn president Sheldon Hackney described Dr. Aiken as “a proven academic leader, both thorough and fair, who has provided SAS with a sure sense of direction in his two years as Dean.” 

In 1993, Dr. Aiken left Penn to serve as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s sixth chancellor. His leadership led to the development of UIC’s new Research Park, an annual New Student Convocation ceremony, expanded study abroad opportunities, and many community-building initiatives. He led UIC’s first strategic planning initiative, which worked to strengthen undergraduate education and maintain competitive salaries for faculty members and graduate students. He led a record-breaking $1 billion fundraising campaign and worked to build relationships between the university and the community before retiring in 2001. His work at UIC was honored with an honorary Doctor of Science and Letters. 

Dr. Aiken is survived by his wife, Catherine (Comet) Aiken; his daughter, Caroline Aiken (Jonathan Isom); and his two nephews, niece, great-nephew, and great-niece. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael Aiken Chair Fund and the Michael Aiken Women’s Basketball Scholarship Fund at the University of Illinois Foundation.