Thomas R. Williams
Encyclopedia
Thomas Robert Williams is a Canadian university professor and academic administrator, who served as the 19th Principal of Queen's University
, in Kingston, Ontario
. He became principal and vice-chancellor of Queen's on May 1, 2008, following the in-term resignation of Karen Hitchcock
. He concluded his term as Principal on August 31, 2009.
, graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemistry
in 1960. He stayed on at McGill to complete two degrees in education
, worked at the University of Chicago
, and earned his doctorate
in education
from the University of Michigan
. He then went to the staff of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
(OISE
), at the University of Toronto
. He arrived at Queen's in 1977, to become the Dean of the Faculty of Education, holding that position until 1986. He served as a professor
in the Faculty of Education, and in the School of Policy Studies. He served as Vice-Principal of Operations, and as Vice-Principal of Institutional Relations, during the principalship of David Chadwick Smith
(1984-1994). He is a professor emeritus of Education and of Policy Studies, and maintains active research interests in both fields.
of the University of Alberta
. During his highly successful sixteen months in office he contended with a ballooning deficit caused largely by the global economic crisis, improved relations with the city of Kingston
, and dealt with the ongoing problem of an unsanctioned street party by cancelling the annual fall homecoming
celebrations. He also secured funding for a new medical school
and a planned performing arts centre. In an interview with CKWS-TV
on April 25, 2008, Williams called the Queen's principalship "the best job in Canada". Known on the campus informally as 'Dr. Tom', Williams served a term as honorary president of the Queen's Alma Mater Society in the late 1990s, and has historically enjoyed an excellent rapport with Queen's students. In October 2009, Queen's Board of Trustees recognized Williams' distinguished service to the university by awarding him the designation Principal Emeritus. On October 26, 2009, Williams received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Queen's.
and Hotel Dieu Hospital
. He served on the board for the Kingston Community Foundation and for Imagine Kingston. He is currently the chair of the Building Committee for the new Performing Arts Centre at Queen's.
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. He became principal and vice-chancellor of Queen's on May 1, 2008, following the in-term resignation of Karen Hitchcock
Karen R. Hitchcock
Karen R. Hitchcock is an American biologist and university administrator, who had troubled leadership positions at an American and a Canadian university. She served as the President of SUNY's University at Albany in Albany, New York, from 1996 until her ouster in 2003...
. He concluded his term as Principal on August 31, 2009.
Education and career
Williams began his post-secondary education at McGill UniversityMcGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
in 1960. He stayed on at McGill to complete two degrees in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, worked at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, and earned his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He then went to the staff of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto is a teachers' college in Toronto, Ontario.-History:OISE/UT traces its origins to the founding of the Provincial Normal School in 1847...
(OISE
Oise
Oise is a department in the north of France. It is named after the river Oise.-History:Oise is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
), at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. He arrived at Queen's in 1977, to become the Dean of the Faculty of Education, holding that position until 1986. He served as a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the Faculty of Education, and in the School of Policy Studies. He served as Vice-Principal of Operations, and as Vice-Principal of Institutional Relations, during the principalship of David Chadwick Smith
David Chadwick Smith
David Chadwick Smith, CM, FRSC was an Canadian economist, and the sixteenth Principal of Queen's University from 1984 to 1994....
(1984-1994). He is a professor emeritus of Education and of Policy Studies, and maintains active research interests in both fields.
Controversy at Queen's
Queen's principal and vice-chancellor Karen Hitchcock, the first woman and the first American to hold the post, had been expected to serve until her five-year term ended on June 30, 2009, and in January 2008, had applied to be considered for re-appointment for a second five-year term. However, following active dissent from the undergraduate student assembly, which unanimously passed a resolution calling for her not to be granted a second term, and controversy over her leadership, Hitchcock resigned on April 16, 2008, effective April 30, 2008.Becomes new Queen's principal
Williams was appointed to fill the principalship vacancy in a vote from the Queen's Board of Trustees on April 25, 2008. He took office on May 1, 2008, and served until August 31, 2009, when he was succeeded as Principal by Daniel WoolfDaniel Woolf
Daniel Robert Woolf is a British/Canadian historian. He is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, a position to which he was appointed in January 2009 and took up as of September 1, 2009...
of the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. During his highly successful sixteen months in office he contended with a ballooning deficit caused largely by the global economic crisis, improved relations with the city of Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, and dealt with the ongoing problem of an unsanctioned street party by cancelling the annual fall homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
celebrations. He also secured funding for a new medical school
Medical school
A medical school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches medicine. Degree programs offered at medical schools often include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Bachelor/Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, master's degree, or other post-secondary...
and a planned performing arts centre. In an interview with CKWS-TV
CKWS-TV
CKWS is an affiliate of the CBC Television Network in Kingston, Ontario, providing coverage to Eastern Ontario from Campbellford to Morrisburg and from Perth to Oswego, New York in the United States....
on April 25, 2008, Williams called the Queen's principalship "the best job in Canada". Known on the campus informally as 'Dr. Tom', Williams served a term as honorary president of the Queen's Alma Mater Society in the late 1990s, and has historically enjoyed an excellent rapport with Queen's students. In October 2009, Queen's Board of Trustees recognized Williams' distinguished service to the university by awarding him the designation Principal Emeritus. On October 26, 2009, Williams received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Queen's.
Community involvement
Williams has been an extensive contributor to both the Queen's and Kingston communities. He has served on the board for both the main hospitals in the city, Kingston General HospitalKingston General Hospital
The Kingston General Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with Queen's University located in Kingston, Ontario. The hospital is a partner within Kingston's university hospitals, delivering health care, conducting research and training health care professionals.As the oldest public hospital...
and Hotel Dieu Hospital
Hotel Dieu Hospital (Kingston)
Hotel Dieu Hospital is a hospital in Kingston, Ontario. It is affiliated with Queen's University, and is a partner within Kingston's university hospitals, delivering health care, conducting research and training the health care professionals.-History:...
. He served on the board for the Kingston Community Foundation and for Imagine Kingston. He is currently the chair of the Building Committee for the new Performing Arts Centre at Queen's.