Gregory H. Williams Explained

Gregory Howard Williams
Office:28th President of University of Cincinnati
Term Start:2009
Term End:2012
Predecessor:Nancy L. Zimpher
Successor:Santa J. Ono
Office2:11th President of the City College of New York
Term Start2:2001
Term End2:2009
Predecessor2:Stanford A. Roman Jr., interim; Yolanda T. Moses, President
Successor2:Robert "Buzz" Paaswell, interim; Lisa Staiano-Coico, President
Office3:17th Dean of Moritz College of Law
Term Start3:1993
Term End3:2001
Predecessor3:Francis X. Beytagh
Successor3:Nancy H. Rogers
Alma Mater:George Washington University

Gregory Howard Williams is a scholar, attorney, law school professor, author, and formerly the 27th President of the University of Cincinnati (2009 to 2012)[1] and the 11th President of the City College of New York (2001–2009).[2] [3] [4]

Early life and education

Gregory Howard Williams was born on November 12, 1943, in Muncie, Indiana.[5] He was the son of James Anthony, a businessman, and Mary, a homemaker. He grew up in Gum Springs, Virginia, until his parents separated, and his father lost his business. At the age of 10, Williams and his brother moved to Muncie, Indiana,[6] where his father had family, and he first became aware of his father's African American heritage.[7] Despite a period of confusion about his own identity, Williams embraced his father's passion for education.[8]

Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ball State University in 1966, where he paid tuition by earning money as a deputy sheriff in the Delaware County Sheriff's Department in Muncie, Indiana, from 1963 to 1966. Between 1966 and 1970, Williams taught classes in Virginia state government and history George Mason Junior – Senior High School in Falls Church, Virginia. In 1969, he earned a master's degree in government and politics from University of Maryland. Williams earned a J.D. from George Washington University in 1971. From 1971 to 1973, Williams was a legislative assistant to Senator Vance Hartke (D-Indiana) of the United States Senate, Washington, D.C. In 1977, Williams earned a master's degree in political science, and in 1982, a doctorate in political science, both from George Washington University with a thesis "Legal and political problems of police discretion".[9] [10] He also earned an MBA from Mercy College (New York).[11]

Career

In 1977, Williams joined the University of Iowa Law faculty, where he taught criminal law, criminal procedure, and legislation. Williams was faculty scholar from 1990 to 1993. At Iowa, Williams served as associate dean of the Law School, from 1977 to 1993, where he oversaw admissions, financial aid, student and faculty recruitment, and student support, and he served as associate vice president of academic affairs from 1991 to 1993.[12]

From 1975 to 1977, he consulted to the Foreign Lawyer Training Program in Washington, DC. He was a member of the Iowa State Advisory Commission to the United States Civil Rights Commission from 1978 to 1988, and a member of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council from 1979 to 1985.[13]

Williams was appointed visiting professor on faculty of law at Durham University, Durham, England, from 1984 to 1986, and visiting scholar at Selwyn College at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, from 1986 to 1987.

From 1991 to 1993, he held the position of associate vice-president for Academic Affairs at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. From 1993 to 2001, Williams held the positions of Carter Kissell Professor of Law and dean of the Michael E. Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University.[14] [15] While dean, the size of the faculty increased by 40 percent, the number of named chairs and professorships doubled, and $25 million was raised from alumni of approximately 7,000 graduates.[16] [17]

College presidencies

In 2001, Williams was appointed the 11th president of the City College of New York – the flagship campus of the City University of New York system. His appointment followed his tenure as a law school dean at Ohio State since 1993, where Williams taught courses in criminal law, he raised $25 million and oversaw the increase of the school's endowment by about 50 percent.[18] During his tenure at Ohio State, Williams also served as the president of the Association of American Law Schools and his autobiographical book, Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black, (Dutton, 1995) won the 1995 Los Angeles Times Book Award.[19] [20] [21]

Under Williams' presidency of the City College of New York, enrollment increased by 60 percent and academic standards improved significantly; nearly 90 percent of the student body continue to represent racial minority groups.[22] [23] Williams successfully oversaw the first capital campaign at City College,[24] raising more than $230 million and effectively establishing a culture of philanthropy, and more than doubled City College's research funding.

During his tenure as president of the City College of New York, Williams served as chair of the Commission on Access, Diversity, and Excellence (CADE) of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Williams moderated and presented at the 2001 Association of American Law Schools annual meeting.[25] [26] Upon his departure in September 2009, Williams left behind a City University of New York campus in Harlem, New York, where more than one-third of the students are Hispanic, and nearly 30-percent are African or African American, and half are born outside of the United States of America. In total, ninety languages are spoken on campus.[27]

Williams began his tenure as president of the University of Cincinnati on November 1, 2009.[28] During William's first year in the office of president, he launched a strategic plan, UC2019 – Accelerating Our Transformation, which took its name from the university's upcoming bicentennial year.[29] During his presidency at the University of Cincinnati, enrollment reached a historic level; the university established a new health system.[30] [31] [32] In 2012, Williams resigned from the position of president, citing personal reasons.[33] That same year, Williams chaired the search for a new commissioner of the Big East Conference.[34]

Professional recognition

Williams has been recognized for his contributions in scholarship, academic leadership, and fundraising. In 1998, President Bill Clinton invited Williams to join the United States President's Call to Action to promote diversity and pro bono legal services. The following year, Williams was selected by the National Association of Public Interest Law (NAPIL) as Dean of the Year. That same year, the National Bar Association awarded Williams the A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Award for Contributions to the Preservation of Human and Civil Rights.[35]

Notably, he received the National Bar Association's A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Preservation of Human and Civil Rights (1999); Governor's Tribute to African-American Leaders of Excellence in State Service (2004) from New York Governor George Pataki; Austrian Decoration for Science and Art in the Division of for Science and Art, Vienna, Austria (2006); Proclamation of Dr. Gregory Howard Williams Day and Honorary Mayor-President by Mayor Kip Holden of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (2006); Key to the City from Mayor Daniel Canan of Muncie, Indiana (2006);[36] Langston Hughes Award from The City College of New York for contributions to the Arts and Letters (2009); Bridges for a Just Community Distinguished Service Citation (2012); and George Washington University Law School Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award (2015).[37] Williams is also honored by the Gregory H. Williams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties of the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University.[38]

Williams also received honorary doctorate degrees from the California Western School of Law (1997), Ball State University (1999),[39] College of Wooster (2000), New York Law School (2009),[40] Skidmore College (2010),[41] and Columbia University (2016).[42]

Corporate and public boards

Publications

Williams published autobiography, Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black – was awarded the 1995 Los Angeles Times Book of the Year.[44] [45] The term the color line, a reference to racial segregation, was famously used in an article "The Color Line" by Frederick Douglass, published in the North American Review (NAR) in 1881, and repeated by W. E. B. Du Bois, in his book The Souls of Black Folk, in 1903.

Williams' book is a reflection on his life growing up as the son of a white mother and a father who passed for white and identified himself as Italian American.[46] [47] At 10-years-old, Williams moved from his home in Virginia to Indiana, where he learned his father was African-American.[48]

Williams' book Life on the Color Line was awarded the Outstanding Book on the Subject of Human Rights in North America by the Gustavus Myers Center for Human Rights.[49] [50] Williams has been a featured author on Dateline NBC, Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Nightline, NPR, and public lectures.[51] [52] His book has been cited in academic journals[53] [54] and syllabus.[55]

Books

Articles and other contributory publications

Video

Personal life

Williams married Sara Catherine Whitney, (m. August 29, 1969). Their children are Natalia Dora, Zachary Benjamin, Anthony Bîadîmir, Carlos Gregory.[65]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dr. Gregory H. Williams. The City Club of Clevland. 11 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Simon. Ellis. CCNY President DR. Gregory H. Williams Resigns To Become President Of University Of Cincinnati. The City College of New York. City University of New York. September 9, 2009.
  3. News: Holmes. Marie. College President Series: Gregory H. Williams: President, City College. Education Update, Inc.. October 2002.
  4. Book: Mabunda. L Mpho. Phelps. Shirelle. Contemporary Black biography. Volume 11 : profiles from the international Black community. 1996. Gale Research Inc.. Detroit, Mich. 9781414435398. en.
  5. Web site: Gregory H. Williams The HistoryMakers. www.thehistorymakers.org. en. 2018-02-11.
  6. Moten-Foster . etal . Bea. Bea Moten-Foster. Gregory Howard Williams. Muncie Times. May 5, 2002. 11. 9. The Muncie Times. Muncie, Indiana.
  7. Web site: Perry. Michael. UC's new president has a powerful story to tell. gobearcats.com. CBS Interactive. December 8, 2009.
  8. Web site: The History Makers: The Nation's Largest African American Oral History Collection. May 16, 2007.
  9. Williams. Gregory Howard. Legal and political problems of police discretion. 1982. Ph.D.. George Washington University. 10315748.
  10. Web site: Rieselman. Deborah. New UC president Gregory Williams embraces diversity. UC Magazine. University of Cincinnati.
  11. Web site: Mercy College Hosts 36th Annual Mercy College Trustees' Scholarship Dinner – Homeroom. educationupdate.com. 2019-10-30.
  12. Web site: Gregory H.Williams. University of Iowa Law Library. The University of Iowa. 11 June 2016.
  13. Web site: Williams, Gregory 1943. Encyclopedia.com. 11 June 2016.
  14. News: Arenson. Karen W.. Ohio Law School Dean Is Named As New President of City College. NY Times. March 27, 2001.
  15. Book: Lassiter. Luke E. The other side of Middletown : exploring Muncie's African American community. 2004. AltaMira Press. Walnut Creek, CA. 0759104832. 41.
  16. Web site: Prominent Law School Dean Gregory H. Williams Named City College President. CUNY. The City University of New York. March 26, 2001.
  17. News: Rose. Derek. Hutchinson. Bill. 11th CCNY Prez Named — Ohio law school dean, author to head school. Daily News. March 27, 2001.
  18. News: Arenson. Karen W.. 2 Law School Deans Are Finalists for City College Presidency. The New York Times. March 18, 2001.
  19. News: Arenson. Karen W.. The President Of City College May Leave Post. The New York Times. December 12, 2002.
  20. Web site: Graff. E.. Being Black and White. The American Prospect. December 10, 2001.
  21. Web site: Midwestern Law School Dean Assumes City College Presidency. CUNY Matters. City University of New Yorkj.
  22. News: Foderaro. Lisa W.. President of City College Is Taking Helm at Cincinnati. NY Times. September 9, 2009.
  23. Book: Rivers. Voza. Williams. Lloyd A. Forever Harlem: Celebrating America's Most Diverse Community. 2006. Sports Pub.. Champaign, Ill.. 9781596702066. 256.
  24. Web site: Mwamba. Jay. CCNY'S 160th Commencement Set For June 1; President Gregory Williams To Address Graduates. City College of New York. City University of New York. May 25, 2006.
  25. Chander. Anupam. Coates. John C. Association of American Law Schools. AALS scholarly paper presentation. 2001. Recorded Resources Corp.. Millersville, MD. 45763678.
  26. Association of American Law Schools. Annual Meeting. Association of American Law Schools, section on Student Services. Treading the waters: public interest values – law school and beyond. 2001. Recorded Resources Corp.. Millersville, MD. 45753904.
  27. Web site: Rieselman. Deborah. New UC president Gregory Williams embraces diversity. magazine.uc.edu. University of Cincinnati.
  28. News: Foderaro. Lisa W.. City College President Leaving for Cincinnati. The New York Times. September 9, 2009.
  29. News: Peale. Cliff. UC set to name new president. Cincinnati Enquirer. September 8, 2009.
  30. Web site: Office of the President, University of Cincinnati: Gregory H. Williams. UC.edu. University of Cincinnati. 15 June 2016.
  31. Web site: Gregory H. Williams Chosen To Lead UC. University of Cincinnati Foundation.
  32. Web site: Five Graduates Receive Alumni Achievement Award. GW Today. George Washington University. September 24, 2015.
  33. Web site: Stripling. Jack. U. of Cincinnati President Resigns Abruptly, Citing 'Personal Reasons'. The Chronicle of Higher Education. August 21, 2012.
  34. News: Weiss. Dick. John Marinatto resigns as commissioner of Big East Conference, Joseph A. Bailey III takes over on interim basis. NY Daily News. May 7, 2012.
  35. Book: Grofman. Bernard. Federal Judicial Center. Legacies of the 1964 Civil Rights Act : [...papers given at a 1994 conference..., held at the Federal Judicial Center]]. 2000. University Press of Virginia. Charlottesville, Va.. 0813919207. xiii.
  36. Ex- Muncie resident visits alma mater to talk about his life on the Color Line. March 16, 2006. 16. 5. The Muncie Times.
  37. Web site: Two Graduates Receive Alumni Achievement Award. George Washington University. December 30, 2015.
  38. Web site: Is Perception Blind: Understanding Breakthrough Mind Science Research on Racial and Other Biases. blankfoundation.org. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
  39. Web site: Conferment of Honorary Degrees: Gregory H. Williams, Doctor of Humanities. Ball State University. May 8, 1999.
  40. Web site: President of The City College of New York, Gregory H. Williams, to Speak at New York Law School Commencement May 15. nyls.edu. New York Law School.
  41. Web site: Skidmore College to honor Clive Gillinson, Gwen Ifill, Gregory Howard Williams with honorary degrees at 99th commencement. Saratogian News. The Saratogian. May 10, 2010.
  42. Web site: Racial Passing and Masquerade in American Culture from the Mid-Nineteenth Century. Department of English and Comparative Literature. Columbia University. 14 June 2016.
  43. Web site: Gregory H. Williams Ph.D., J.D.. bloomberg.com. 15 September 2023 .
  44. News: The Los Angeles Times Book Prizes 1995. The Los Angeles Times. September 24, 1995.
  45. News: Williams. Gregory H.. A Line Through a Nation's Soul. Los Angeles Times. October 29, 2003.
  46. Web site: Haynes. Monica L.. Passing: How posing as white became a choice for many black Americans. post-gazette.com. PG Publishing Co., Inc.. October 26, 2003. March 15, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120315191632/http://old.post-gazette.com/lifestyle/20031026stain1026fnp2.asp. dead.
  47. Book: Delgado. Richard. Stefancic. Jean. Critical white studies : looking behind the mirror. 1997. Temple University Press. Philadelphia, PA. 9781439901519. 493–498.
  48. Book: Metress. Christopher. The lynching of Emmett Till : a documentary narrative. 2002. University of Virginia Press. Charlottesville, Virginia. 081392121X. Chapter 5.
  49. Web site: Gregory Williams, former UI law professor, is first on-campus candidate for UI president. Parrott. Steve. December 11, 2002. The University of Iowa News Service. University of Iowa.
  50. Book: A multicultural reader. Collection two. 2008. Perfection Learning Corporation. Logan, Iowa. 9780789171498. 462 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm. 2nd. Many voices literature series.
  51. Web site: What's New : Dr. Williams Program. cincinnatilibrary.org. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
  52. Web site: CI to host Author Gregory H. Williams. csuci.edu. California State University Channel Islands.
  53. Book: Williams. Tyrone. Masterplots II. / African American literature 4 Pos–Z. 2009. Salem Press. Pasadena, Calif.. 9781587654428. S. LXXVII–XCI, S. 1557–2046. 1st.
  54. Today's best nonfiction : Robert Timberg; Gregory Howard Williams; Andrew A Rooney; Jeffrey Good; Susan Goreck;. Reader's Digest. 1995. 36. 1. 573 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 24 cm. Reader's Digest Association. Pleasantville, New York.
  55. Web site: Living In The Shadow Of Family Secrets. npr.org. National Public Radio. February 3, 2011.
  56. Book: Williams. Gregory Howard. Life on the color line : the true story of a white boy who discovered he was black. 1995. Dutton. New York. 9780525938507.
  57. Book: Williams. Gregory. Life on the color line: The true story of a white boy who discovered he was black. 1999. Plume. New York. 0613035364. Special Ball State University.
  58. Book: Williams. Gregory Howard. Life on the color line : the true story of a white boy who discovered he was black. 2014. Plume. New York. 9781440673337.
  59. Book: Williams. Gregory Howard. The Iowa guide to search and seizure. 1986. University of Iowa. 0874140447.
  60. Book: Williams. Gregory Howard. The law and politics of police discretion. 1984. Greenwood Press. Westport, Conn.. 0313240701.
  61. New Mexico Law Review. 28. 1. 1–18. University of New Mexico Law. Albuquerdue, New Mexico.
  62. Williams. Gregory H.. Police Discretion: A Comparative Perspective. 64 Indiana Law Journal 873 (1989). October 1989 . 64 . 4 . 11 June 2016.
  63. Williams. Gregory Howard. Allen. Ronald J. Police Rulemaking Revisited: Some New Thoughts on an Old Problem. 47. October 1, 1984. 4. 312. Law and contemporary problems. Duke University School of Law. Durham, N.C.. 908031874.
  64. Williams. Gregory Howard. Brown, (Journalist). Tony. Smith. Karen. Ashby. Wally. The man who is black and white -- not half white. 2006. Tony Brown Productions Inc.. New York. English. 881547619.
  65. News: Stephen. Stratton. March 3, 1995. Williams, Gregory 1943—. Detroit Free Press. Contemporary Black Biography. 1–4.

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