Steven B. Sample earned three degrees at the University of Illinois:  B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Electrical Engineering. He served as president of the University at Buffalo  from 1982 to 1991 and president of the University of Southern California from 1991 to 2010. 

He was the  author of the management book titled The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership in 2002

From the LA Times:   

Steven B. Sample, the former president of USC who oversaw a dramatic rise in the university’s academic and financial profile during nearly two decades at the helm, died Tuesday at 75.

In announcing Sample’s death, current USC President C. L. Max Nikias credited his predecessor as a skilled leader and a personal mentor whose legacy is one of transformation.

“So many of USC’s successes, so much of our university’s current stature can be traced back to Dr. Sample’s dynamic leadership, keen foresight, and extraordinary prudence,” Nikias said in a statement.

Sample served as the University of Southern California’s 10th president, beginning his tenure in 1991. An electrical engineer by training, he had previously headed the State University of New York at Buffalo before assuming USC’s top post. He retired in 2010 at the age of 69 but remained active at the university, serving on the board of trustees.