In Memoriam: John W. Chandler, Former President of AAC&U

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) mourns the death on August 5, 2022, of John W. Chandler. A lifelong champion of liberal learning, Chandler served as president of AAC&U from 1985 to 1990. Previously he had served, from 1973 to 1985, as president of Williams College, where he had also been dean of the faculty and the Cluett Professor of Religion. Chandler was president of Hamilton College from 1968 to 1973.

As president of AAC&U, Chandler emphasized the importance of liberal education for colleges and universities of all types. Under his leadership, the association launched several projects designed to implement the recommendations of its landmark 1985 report, Integrity in the College Curriculum, which had focused national attention on concerns about the quality and coherence of undergraduate education. AAC&U partnered with disciplinary associations to develop model programs for the majors and with both the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the American Association of College Schools of Business to integrate the liberal arts into engineering and business curricula.

“All of us at AAC&U are profoundly saddened by the loss of John Chandler,” said AAC&U’s current president, Lynn Pasquerella. “We are also deeply grateful for his strong legacy of advocacy and leadership for liberal education.”