Rallying CCNY
President Gregory Williams has lived on both sides of the color line, and now he’s using his experience to connect with his students and turn around his university.
By Jamal Watson
When Dr. Gregory H. Williams left The Ohio State University in August 2001 to become president of the City College of New York, many of his colleagues in the academy were convinced that Williams — who was dean of OSU’s law school — had lost his mind.
At the time, City College — the flagship school of The City University of New York system — was mired in deep financial problems and was facing a declining enrollment. The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks occurred just six weeks after Williams took the job, and he found himself forced to rally thousands of devastated students and faculty.
It seemed almost too much for one person to take on.
