Friday, Nov. 19, The College of William and Mary’s Board of Visitors unanimously voted to extend the contract of President Katherine A. Rowe through June 2028.
Rowe, who is the 28th president and first female president of the College, previously had a contract until June 2023. However, by unanimous vote, Rector John E. Littel P ’22 was authorized to finalize the terms of the agreement by the February 2022 Board of Visitors meeting.
“The Board is grateful to President Rowe for the partnership, work and visionary leadership she has demonstrated to advance the university during unprecedented times,” Littel wrote in a press release. “Big opportunities and big challenges lie ahead for William & Mary, and we have enormous confidence in where President Rowe will lead us in the future.”
“The Board is grateful to President Rowe for the partnership, work and visionary leadership she has demonstrated to advance the university during unprecedented times,” Littel wrote in a press release. “Big opportunities and big challenges lie ahead for William & Mary, and we have enormous confidence in where President Rowe will lead us in the future.”
As President, Rowe has overseen the For the Bold Campaign which successfully raised $1.04 billion including more than $300 million in scholarships.
The Board also noted that Rowe is essential to the success of Vision 2026, the plan of major actions and initiatives the College will pursue over the next five years.
“She combines academic and management experience, commitment to stellar teaching and research, success in improving student and faculty diversity and, most importantly, a compelling vision of the importance of liberal arts in today’s world and economy,” Littel wrote. “Those qualities have certainly been evident during the past few years as we successfully concluded the For the Bold campaign and addressed the challenges raised by the global pandemic.”
Vision 2026 includes expanding the College’s reach through scholarship and global connections, educating for impact via accessibility and career success and evolving to excel by providing more equitable learning environments.
“As we finalize Vision 2026, our new strategic plan, this fall, William & Mary must couple nimbleness and creativeness with our strong traditions of liberal arts education and civic responsibility,” Littel wrote. “President Rowe has proven that she is the right person to lead this work at our university. We are grateful to President Rowe for her commitment to continue to serve this university.”
After the decision during Friday’s meeting, Rowe said she was humbled by the Board’s confidence and grateful for another opportunity to continue working with the College.
“To our students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, it’s a great honor to serve as your 28th president,” Rowe said. “We have made great strides together over the past three years. I am enthusiastic about the path we are traveling together.”
“To our students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, it’s a great honor to serve as your 28th president,” Rowe said. “We have made great strides together over the past three years. I am enthusiastic about the path we are traveling together.”