WM Names Robert Gates as Chancellor

By Amber Lester Kennedy Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Former defense secretary Robert Gates will serve as WM's next chancellor.

Gates, who graduated from the college with a degree in history in 1965, succeeds retired U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who will complete her term in February 2012.

Gates, the first defense secretary in U.S. history to serve under presidents from both political parties, led the defense department under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama before retiring earlier this summer.

“I am deeply honored to have been asked to return to the College of William & Mary, my alma mater, to serve as chancellor,” Gates said. “The time I spent at William & Mary as an undergraduate student shaped my life and I look forward to working with the students, staff, faculty and the William & Mary community.” He said it is a privilege to follow O’Connor, Henry Kissinger and Margaret Thatcher as chancellor.

President Barack Obama praised the choice, issuing a statement that said, "In Bob, one of our nation's oldest colleges has found one of our nation's finest public servants. I'm confident that Bob will bring to this new role the same sense of duty and personal integrity that I and other Presidents valued during his distinguished career in government."

Gates, who also holds an honorary doctorate from William & Mary, will be the college’s 24th chancellor. Before serving as defense secretary, Gates served in numerous capacities in the Executive Branch during more than 45 years in public service. In 1966, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional. From 2002 to 2006, he was president of Texas A&M University. Gates will be the first William & Mary alumnus in the modern era to serve as chancellor of the college.

While at William & Mary, Gates was an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, served as a dormitory manager and was an orientation aide. He was also active in the Young Republicans and served as business manager of the William & Mary Review, a literary and art magazine. He later earned a master’s degree in history from Indiana University and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University.

“It is absolutely wonderful to welcome Secretary Gates back to campus in this new role,” said President Taylor Reveley. “He is an extraordinary example of what it means to devote a lifetime to making a difference for the better for your country. Bob Gates cares deeply about his alma mater and has been a great friend of William & Mary. We are delighted our students will have the chance to spend time with, and learn from, one of our nation’s most respected leaders.”

The post of chancellor has a long tradition at the college, dating back to William & Mary’s origin in 1693 by Royal Charter from King William III and Queen Mary II. The chancellor initially was an English subject – usually the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Bishop of London – and served as the college’s advocate to the crown while a colonial president oversaw the day-to-day activities of the Williamsburg campus.

George Washington served as William & Mary’s first American chancellor. Typically, the chancellor serves for seven years, playing an important role in the life of the university, participating in major ceremonies and other events on campus and meeting periodically with students and other members of the campus community.