[HBCU Presidents] Dr. William H. Harris: Alabama State University

Posted on 05. Jan, 2010 by Leshell Hatley in Anthropology, Scholarly Celebrations

Dr. William H. Harris first served as Alabama State University‘s (ASU) president from 1994 to 2000. His commitment at that time was to transform ASU into a comprehensive regional university through excellence and diversity. Under Dr. Harris’ leadership, the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture, Business and Technology Center, and Center for Leadership and Public Policy were established. New degree programs in health information management and occupational therapy were introduced, and graduate programs in accountancy and physical therapy were created.

In 2008, Dr. Harris once again took the helm as president of the University, introducing a new vision to transform ASU through excellence in teaching, research, service and a diverse population. Many of the changes included in this vision already have begun, including extensive campus expansion and renovation projects, a reorganization of the university’s structure and significant advances in technology, including the implementation of a new ERP system and university website.

Education & Career

Dr. Harris has had a long and distinguished career in higher education. He is among few academicians who have contributed to their fields of study and who have served the higher education community as the CEO and president for both public and private post-secondary institutions.

After completing the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at Indiana University, Dr. Harris began his professional career at Indiana University as an assistant professor of history. He rose through the ranks to become professor of history and concomitantly served as associate dean of the Graduate School and director of CIC Minorities Fellowships Program. He was also a Fulbright Professor and Visiting Professor of History at the University of Hamburg (1977-1978) in Germany.

As one of the youngest college presidents ever appointed, Dr. Harris led Paine College during the period 1982-1988. He subsequently led Texas Southern University (1988-1993) and later Alabama State University (1994-2000); all successful appointments. He left retirement briefly in 2005-2006 to serve as interim president of Fort Valley State University and Texas College in 2008.

Awards

Dr. Harris has earned numerous awards and distinctions, including being named a Distinguished Son of Fitzgerald, Ga., his birthplace, one of 10 individuals so honored during the City’s Centennial Celebration; recipient (with his wife, Wanda) of a Trustees Special Leadership Award from the Paine College Board of Trustees; recipient of the Paine College Alumni Association Charles G. Gomillion Award; recipient of the honorary Doctor of Letters and Laws degree from Paine College and the Doctor of Humanities degree from Tuskegee University; recipient of the Trustees Special Service Award from Paine College and recognition by Indiana University with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the highest honor an alumnus can receive from the university.

Dr. Harris is also designated as one of the Fifty Most Influential Black Georgians. Dr. Harris is the author of two books: Keeping the Faith: A. Phillip Randolph, Milton P. Webster, and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, published in 1977 and reissued in 1991 by the University of Illinois Press; and The Harder We Run: Black Workers Since the Civil War, published in 1982 by Oxford University Press.

More Related posts:

1. [HBCU Presidents] Horace Mann Bond: 1st Black President of Fort Valley State College & Lincoln University
2. [HBCU Presidents] Dr. Horace A. Judson: Grambling State University
3. [HBCU Presidents] Dr. Andrew Hugine: Alabama A&M University
4. [HBCU Presidents] Dr. Earl G. Yarbrough, Sr. – Savannah State University
5. [HBCU Presidents] Dr. Melvin N. Johnson: Tennessee State University

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