CINCINNATI - The president of the University of Cincinnati resigned yesterday for what the school called "personal reasons."
No other information was disclosed immediately on the sudden departure of Gregory Williams, who became president three years ago. The school's enrollment hit record highs in his tenure and is 42,421.
The board of trustees said Provost Santa Ono was appointed interim president. The board said more information would be released later on a search committee for a new president.
The board, which met in executive session yesterday, said in its statement that trustees were "most appreciative of Dr. Williams' service and contributions to the university." Williams had been under contract for three more years. Fall classes are set to begin next week.
Reached by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Williams wouldn't elaborate on the reasons for his resignation. He said he didn't know whether he would move out of Cincinnati.
"I enjoyed serving as the president of the University of Cincinnati," said the married father of four. "I think it's a great university, and I'm really privileged to have served here."
The university had about 37,000 students when Williams was named president in 2009 to succeed Nancy Zimpher, who became chancellor of the State University of New York.
Williams, 68, was in New York City last week with newly named Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco. Williams headed the search committee that led to the hiring of the CBS Sports executive vice president to lead the conference as its rebuilds after losing three longtime members during realignments.
Williams is a former president of the City College of New York and law school dean at Ohio State University.
He was Cincinnati's 27th president - and its first black president. The light-complected Muncie, Ind., native's mother is white, and he said he learned when he was 10 that his father was black. He told his story in the memoir: "Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black." As a result of the book, Williams appeared on "Oprah," "Larry King Live" and other national programs.
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