Former chancellor Michael Ferrari died Friday evening after a five-year battle with cancer, according to an e-mail from the university.

Ferrari was the chancellor at TCU from 1998-2003 and can be remembered for leading TCU into a new athletic conference, reorganizing academic programs and establishing the Community Scholars program. 

Ferrari relocated to the Chicago area after his tenure at TCU to be closer to his children and grandchildren, but remained closely tied to the TCU community.

He is the namesake of the Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership. This honor is bestowed upon a TCU faculty or staff member for going above and beyond their job duties.

Ferrari is survived by his wife Jan, his two children Michael and Elizabeth, and grandchildren.