Trani will teach after sabbatical

Trani and his wife, Lois. Eugene Trani will begin his new role teaching in VCU's Honors College in the fall of 2010 after a yearlong sabbatical.

Trani, who will have the title of distinguished professor, also will conduct research as a 12-month employee. Under terms of his contract, he will receive about three-fourths of his presidential salary.

Trani's current base salary is $390,753, of which $176,113 is from state funds and $214,640 is from university foundation funds. His new salary, pending approval by the board of visitors, will be $293,064. VCU spokeswoman Pam Lepley said Trani will be paid while on sabbatical.

Although he is stepping down a year earlier than planned, he has stayed in the position longer than he originally intended. Trani had planned to retire in 2007, but four years ago the board asked him to stay until 2010.

Trani, who was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Philadelphia, has three degrees in history. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and received his master's and doctoral degrees from Indiana University.

He and his wife, Lois, a former nurse anesthetist, have two children and five grandchildren.

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College President Gary L. Rhodes, who has monthly breakfast meetings with Trani, describes him as "absolutely personable. He's very bright with a great sense of humor. He's an intellectual at times; he's just a fun person to be with at times."

Rhodes said Trani has a passion for Russia and understands community and international dynamics.

A prolific writer, Trani's next book, "Distorted Mirrors: Americans and Their Relations with Russia and China in the Twentieth Century," is due out next month.

He is the author of six other books and has another in the works on universities and their role in economic development.

Contact Karin Kapsidelis at