Last week, two icons of 20th-century American history – Henry Kissinger and Sandra Day O’Connor – died just two days apart – Kissinger on November 29 and O’Connor on December 1. My local newspaper features these deaths on the front page, but includes a local twist – both of these individuals served as Chancellor of the College of William and Mary.
What does this position entail? It is a ceremonial office, chosen by the College Board of Visitors. There is an honorarium attached to this position, but I haven’t been able to find the dollar amount. The job of the Chancellor is primarily to attend important college events, including the convocation (held at the beginning of the school year) and commencement in May. In a way, the Chancellor is a “brand” for the college, providing visibility and prestige to the institution.
The position of Chancellor was established in the original 1693 Charter of the College, and its first incumbent was George Washington. He held this position before he was elected President of the United States. After his death, the position was vacant until former president John Tyler was named to the position in 1859. The position was filled only occasionally until 1986, when retired Chief Justice of the United States, Warren Burger, was appointed Chancellor. He was the first notable non-Virginian appointed to the post, but he was followed by a series of notable individuals: Margaret Thatcher (1993-2000), Henry Kissinger (2000-2005), Sandra Day O’Connor (2005-2012), and Robert M. Gates (2012-present). Gates may not be as familiar to us as the earlier name – he served as Secretary of Defense from 2006-2011, first appointed by President George W. Bush and retained by Barack Obama.
As you might imagine, Kissinger’s appointment to the job generated controversy. He was clearly both an academic and practical voice in all of the major foreign policy issues of the second half of the 20th century, but his doctrine of realpolitik – a pragmatic rather than ideological approach to the role of the United States in the world – came to be identified with things like the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War. You can imagine that his appointment to this job activated a lot of the faded antiwar rhetoric that had characterized college campuses – including
William and Mary – in the 1960s and 1970s.
On the occasion of his death, William and Mary President Katherine Rowe issued the following statement:
“Henry Kissinger is part of a long tradition of global leaders who served admirably as William & Mary chancellor. As the Alma Mater of the Nation, William & Mary provides students, faculty and staff access to decision-makers who shaped our country’s history. We are thankful for Sec. Kissinger’s service as our 22nd chancellor.”
He only served in this position for five years, replaced by O’Connor in 2006. Her tenure was much less controversial. When she died, we saw stories about some of her controversial actions on the Supreme Court, but there was not the visceral distaste for her while she was in the position. O’Connor had previous links to Williamsburg – including serving as a trustee of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – and seemed legitimately committed to the institution. Current president of William and Mary Katherine Rowe (the college’s first woman president) issued a statement about O’Connor, calling her ”an inspirational trailblazer” and stating further:
“During her frequent visits to campus as our chancellor, she called countless William & Mary students to advance the rule of law and pursue distinguished careers in public service. We are honored to count Justice O’Connor among the William & Mary family.”
Interestingly, I don't recall Kissinger as Chancellor at all, tho I fondly remember Justice O'Connor. It see.)med like she came to campus a lot and interacted with students more than the averge Chancellor. Frankly, I didn't realize how controversial Kissinger was until he died and I started reading many of the reactions. Guess I was too busy with career and life when he was Secretary of State. (Mostly I remember all the younger women he dated!)
We have been lucky to have interesting and mostly involved Chancellors. Margaret Thatcher seemed particularly engaged, also very active with the students. Given politics in England after she left office there, she may have just enjoyed getting to the U.S. for a break! Bob Gates (I have trouble calling him "Secy.") seems to be a good choice, and it's nice to have a grad and someone of "our" era. (I guess that really means that we are now old enough that our contemporaries are serving in the roles we reserve for the elder wisemen and wisewomen.)
Does the role of Chancellor serve any purpose except that of publicity for the College? And whatever its purpose, is it worth whatever the College pays the Chancellor? Might those funds be used better for student aid or program enhancement?