Andreas De Leenheer

Andreas De Leenheer
Born	(1941-05-16)16 May 1941 Zele, German-occupied Belgium
Died	20 November 2022(2022-11-20) (aged 81) Ghent, Belgium
Nationality	Belgian
Occupation(s)	Professor Biologist

Andreas De Leenheer (16 May 1941 – 20 November 2022) was a Belgian academic and biologist. He was Vice-Rector of Ghent University from 1997 to 2001 and Rector from 2001 to 2005.

Biography

In 1971, De Leenheer became a lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ghent University. In 1977, he became a full professor and headed the laboratories department at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences from 1984 to 1993. He was dean of the Faculty from 1984 to 1992. From 1992 to 1998, he was chair of the Department of Bioanalysis. From 1997 to 2001, he was Vice-Rector before serving as Rector from 2001 to 2005. During his tenure, he led the movement for the renovation of the Boekentoren, convincing the university board to provide funds for the project in 2005.^[1]

In honor of his daughter, Marianne, who died in a traffic collision in 1991, De Leenheer created the Marianne De Leenheerprijs in 2008, a prize of 2500 euros per year for mathematics students at Ghent University.^[2]

De Leenheer served as chairman of the Film Fest Ghent until 2014, when he was succeeded by Claire Tillekaerts [nl].^[3] He also served as director of the Gent Festival van Vlaanderen [nl] and chairman of the Federal Public Planning Service Science Policy. In 2008, King Albert II of Belgium made him a Baron.

De Leenheer died in Ghent on 20 November 2022, at the age of 81.^[4]

Awards

• Zesde Vijs (2004)^[5]

References

1. "De Leenheer, André 1941-". Ghent University (in Dutch).
2. "Gentse oud-rector herdenkt verongelukte dochter met prijs". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). 4 July 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
3. Degrande, Magali (3 April 2014). "Film Fest Gent krijgt nieuwe Raad van Bestuur". Het Nieuwsblad (in German). Retrieved 22 November 2022.
4. Staes, Bert (22 November 2022). "Oud-rector Andreas De Leenheer (81) overleden: "Je was een groot mens en rector, André"". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch). Ghent. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
5. Pauwels, Hilde (23 March 2004). "Rector UGent waarschuwt voor pseudo-wetenschap". SKEPP (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 November 2022.