Statements and Letters

AAC&U Mourns Loss of Former Colleague and Member President William R. O’Connell, Jr.

October 26, 2009

AAC&U notes with great sadness the loss of William R. O’Connell, Jr., who passed away on Monday, October  19, 2009 in Williamsburg, VA.  O’Connell served as president of New England College, an AAC&U member institution, from 1985 to 1995.  From 1979 to 1985, he served as Vice President at AAC&U, which was then called the Association of American Colleges.  O’Connell was a dedicated educator and educational leader committed to improving undergraduate education for all students.  He was on the leadership team that produced AAC&U’s groundbreaking 1985 publication, Integrity in the College Curriculum, which set an agenda for the association’s work on curriculum, faculty development and assessment for the next decade.  Following his retirement from New England College, he worked on issues of health and higher education both at AAC&U and at NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.  AAC&U extends its condolences to his family and all who worked with him through AAC&U, at New England College and throughout the higher education community.  He is survived by his son, William O’Connell, III and his daughter-in-law, Karen Boylan O’Connell.  A memorial service will be held in his honor at Williamsburg United Methodist Church on November 2 at 11 a.m.  For details, see the Daily Press notice.