NORC at the University of Chicago mourns the loss of Kenneth Prewitt, a former director of NORC, trustee emeritus, and former director of the U.S. Census Bureau.

After earning his PhD from Stanford University, Prewitt taught political science at the University of Chicago and became chairman of the department before being named NORC’s director in 1976. He led NORC until 1979 during a time of transition marked by rising interest in large-scale federally funded contract research, increased competition from private sector firms, and declining government support for grant research.

As director and a longstanding member of NORC’s Board of Trustees, Prewitt helped NORC face these challenges while retaining our commitment to quality research, training, and methodological experimentation. He also strengthened our teaching and research linkages with the University of Chicago.

“Ken brought academic knowledge, deep intellectual curiosity, and enormous passion and energy to his role as director of NORC and later as vice chair of our Board for nine years,” said Dan Gaylin, president and CEO of NORC. “The enormous respect he commanded throughout our field and his breadth of experience in academia, government, and as a former leader of NORC made him an invaluable contributor to the organization over many years. He also served as an advisor and sponsor of several senior leaders at NORC, including John Thompson and me.”

Two of the nation’s largest and most prestigious longitudinal studies began at NORC under Prewitt’s directorship: the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, and High School & Beyond, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Beyond his time at NORC, Prewitt built one of the most wide-ranging careers in American social science. He served as president of the Social Science Research Council, senior vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation, and dean of the Graduate School at The New School. He later joined Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs as Carnegie Professor of Social Affairs. A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Lifetime Career Award from the American Political Science Association, he was recognized across disciplines for scholarship that bridged rigorous research and urgent public questions.

As a renowned political scientist, teacher, and administrator, Prewitt illuminated the workings of government, the nature of governance, and the role of public policy. His career encompassed significant positions in higher education, philanthropy, and public service, including a two-year term as director of the 2000 U.S. Census.

During and after his tenure at the Census, Prewitt advocated an overhaul in how demographic categories are identified and sorted, believing the current system can produce data that can be misleading. “Statistical ignorance is a moral failure,” he told The New York Times in 2018. “It is also a political failure to ignore the arrival of a hybrid America.”

We extend our deepest condolences to Kenneth’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. His noteworthy achievements and dedication to political science will always be remembered and celebrated.