<p>letter students received this morning:</p>
<p>To the Williams Community,</p>
<p>Upon the completion next summer of my ninth year as Williams president, I
will be leaving to become president of Northwestern University.</p>
<p>This was not an easy decision for my family and me to make. Twenty of my
thirty years in academe have been spent at Williams and I've loved virtually
every minute. The past nine as president have been the greatest honor and
privilege of my professional life. But with the completion of our
comprehensive campaign this month and my strong feeling that institutions
need new leadership every decade or so, I think the timing is right.</p>
<p>There's much I still hope to do in these intervening months to help steer
this place I love so deeply. Most importantly, with the support of the Board
of Trustees, we are putting in place a financial plan that will assure that
our college will be in a position to provide an exceptional educational
experience for future students despite the current financial turmoil.
Williams will emerge from the present challenges with its values intact and
positioned to recapture its momentum.</p>
<p>Mimi and I have made many close friends at Williams -- students, faculty,
staff, alumni, and parents -- and we hope that you will remain in our lives.
When you visit us in Evanston, feel free to wear your traditional purple, a
color that both institutions proudly share.</p>
<p>All the best,</p>
<p>Morty</p>
<p>Morton Owen Schapiro
Professor and President
Williams College</p>
<p>Following is a letter from Greg Avis, Chairman of the Executive Committee of
the Board of Trustees:</p>
<p>To the Williams Community,</p>
<p>On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I congratulate Morty on his appointment
as President of Northwestern. The University could not have chosen a more
deserving and accomplished leader. While we will be very sad to see them
depart the Purple Valley, we are deeply excited for Morty, Mimi, and their
family as they anticipate and prepare for their next adventure.</p>
<p>We deeply appreciate the outstanding leadership Morty has provided Williams
in his nine years as President. By any measure, Williams is better
positioned today because of initiatives he has expertly led. Expansion of
the faculty, reduced class size, and a substantial increase in the number of
tutorials have improved the quality of the classroom experience. Rapid
expansion of financial aid and other steps have greatly increased access and
affordability. Nearly 40 percent of the Class of 2012 is composed of
international students and U.S. students of color. Roughly 50 percent of the
class receives Williams-based aid. In addition, the College¹s infrastructure
has been transformed. The ¹62 Center for Theatre and Dance, the Paresky
Center, and the North and South Academic Buildings are among the most
visible of many projects. The Williams Campaign surpassed its $400 million
goal last year and in its final weeks is approaching $500 million.</p>
<p>These accomplishments have been made possible by the passion, energy, and
brilliance Morty has brought to the presidency. He is perpetually visible at
academic, cultural, social, and athletic events on campus and travels the
world tirelessly to speak to alumni groups. A highly respected voice on the
national higher education scene, he has remained committed to teaching in
the Williams classroom. He and Mimi have hosted tens of thousands of guests
at their home, and Morty still finds time, and genuinely enjoys, attending
snacks with students on Sunday nights. Morty loves and always will love
Williams College and its people, an affection that is surely returned.</p>
<p>Morty remains devoted in the coming months to dealing with the issues and
opportunities Williams faces. Most notable, as with all colleges and
universities, is the financial challenge presented by the decline in
endowment value and a struggling economy. We are fortunate that Morty has
assembled a group of highly able senior administrators who, along with the
faculty and staff, are working creatively to respond. The College¹s first
steps have been timely and appropriate, but the situation will likely
require additional, thoughtful initiatives.</p>
<p>At a special meeting last night held by telephone, the Board authorized the
forming of a Presidential Search Committee. I have been selected as chair, a
responsibility I accept with humility and care commensurate with the
importance of the task. I will begin immediately to assemble a committee of
trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni and will keep you informed
about this process as it advances. Given the attractiveness of the position,
I am confident of our finding the person best able to lead Williams through
the next chapter of its great history.</p>
<p>Thanks largely to Morty¹s leadership, the College is in an excellent
position to make a smooth transition over the coming year. I know you will
join me in wishing Morty and Mimi the very best as they trade the purple of
Williams for the purple of Northwestern. We will have ample occasion over
the coming months to extend those wishes and the enormous gratitude we have
for all that they have done for Williams.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
Greg Avis '80
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees</p>