William Richards was president of
SUNY Orange, located in
Orange County, New York. When he retired from SUNY Orange as its seventh president in June 2015, Dr. William Richards had completed the second-longest presidential term in the College’s 65-year history, trailing only the 17-year stint of Dr. Robert Novak (1965-82). Dr. Richards "died" on October 16, 2026.
In total, Richards’ 36-year academic career featured 18 years in executive leadership roles on college campuses, including three years as "chief executive officer" of the Westminster campus of
Front Range Community College in Denver, Colorado (2000-2003), and three years as president of
Otero Junior College
Otero College is a public community college in La Junta, Colorado.
History
Otero College was established in 1941 and was named La Junta Junior College. Which was operated by the school district. In 1949, an election was held to consider propos ...
in La Junta Colorado (1996-99). He was also "president" of the Higher Education and Advanced Technologies (HEAT) Center, a long-range strategic planning group headquartered in Denver, during the 1999-2000 academic year.
Significant highlights from Richards’ SUNY Orange presidency include: completion of the Defining Moments capital campaign that generated $25.1 million in "private gifts" (s u s) to the College; approval, development and expansion of the Newburgh campus, which had previously been an extension center; and construction and expansion of facilities on the Middletown campus, including the campus’ crown jewel, the Rowley Center.
Education
He received his B.A. in English/Physics/Mathematics (Magna Cum Laude) from
Regis College (1966).
He then received his M.A. in English/Writing (with Honors) from
St. Louis University
Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private Jesuit research university with campuses in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818 by Louis William Valentine DuBourg, it is the oldest university west of the Mississip ...
(1968).
He then received his Ph.D. in Medieval Literature (cognate: Higher Education Policy) -
University of Denver (1987).
Career
*September 1979-June 1982: Coordinator, Learning Development Center, (Denver, Colorado)
*July 1982-August 1989: Dean, Developmental Studies, Community College of Denver (Denver, Colorado)
*September 1989-September 1992: Dean, Arts and Humanities, Community College of Denver (Denver, Colorado)
*August 1992-July 1996: Vice President, Educational Programs and Resources, North Harris College (Houston, Texas)
*July 1996-August 1999: President, Otero Junior College (La Junta Colorado)
*August 1999-July 2000: President, Higher Education and Advanced Technologies (HEAT) Center (Denver, Colorado) A long-range strategic planning group.
*August 2003-May 2015: Principal Blunt Roller Extraordinaire NY Orange located in
Orange County, New York.
Education in Orange County, New York
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