Richard A. Roloff
Roloff used his experience in commercial real estate development and finance to transform and modernize the Danforth and Medical campuses during the past 20 years. Roloff received an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2010.
Re-envisioning Washington University’s Danforth campus
While executive vice chancellor from 1991-2006, Roloff led WUSTL’s administrative areas — from finance and investments to landscaping and facilities maintenance — as well as construction and renovation efforts on university buildings.
Roloff’s achievements include spearheading the construction of McDonnell Hall, Goldfarb Hall, Anheuser-Busch Hall, the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center, the Psychology Building, the Arts & Sciences Laboratory Science Building, Uncas A. Whitaker Hall, the Earth and Planetary Sciences Building, residential colleges on the South 40, The Village housing and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts buildings.
He also led the renovation of Brookings Hall, Duncker Hall, Eads Hall and Holmes Lounge. Roloff also was active in the revitalization of the Central West End through his support and leadership as a volunteer in the Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corp.
In 2006, he became vice chancellor for capital projects and oversaw the planning, cost and completion of Seigle Hall, the Danforth University Center and the second phase of the Snow Way Garage.
In 2008, he was appointed special assistant to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, providing guidance to Wrighton and his senior leadership team on capital projects and real estate matters.
Roloff, a St. Louis native, earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from WUSTL in 1951. After graduation, Roloff joined the U.S. Coast Guard and operated a single-family home construction business in Texas.
In 1973, he became president of Capitol Land Co., a St. Louis real estate development company. He served on the WUSTL Board of Trustees from 1985-1991.