President's Page

A highly recognizable and often-seen figure on campus, President William G. Durden ’71 is committed to solidifying Dickinson’s permanence as a top-tier national liberal-arts college. Through his speeches and publications you will quickly see how his broad experience in business and education has helped to establish this permanence.

President William G. Durden '71 addressed his fellow alumni at Alumni Weekend 2009.

Contact Info

The Office of the President is on the first floor of Old West.

E-mail: presofc@dickinson.edu

Letter from the President

Discover President Durden’s thoughts about Dickinson’s mission and future. View Letter

Office Hours

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit President Durden during open office hours. Office hours for the spring semester will be held Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 19, April 2 and 22 and May 6. See the link at the top of this page for times and locations.

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About the President

William G. Durden '71, President

William G. Durden ’71 has been president of Dickinson since 1999. A Dickinson graduate and living example of the advantages of a liberal-arts education, Durden’s degrees in German and philosophy have led him to a multifaceted career including serving as a faculty member, senior education consultant to the U.S. Department of State, several executive positions in educational business entities and “private tutor” to a former British Prime Minister. Learn More

President Durden to Retire in 2013

Read the news release.

Read the president's message to the community.

Read the message from Jennifer Ward Reynolds ’77, Chair, Board of Trustees.

On the Move in the 21st Century

From Dickinson's ambitious programs to its reputation in American undergraduate education, hear President Durden talk about the dynamic status of the College today.

Speeches & Publications

President Durden leads by example in his national role in higher-education policy on issues that matter to the public. He continually draws attention to important topics in higher education through his opinion pieces, international and national media interviews and speaking engagements throughout the U.S. and abroad.

See the slides from President Durden's presentation at the 2013 annual Town Meeting
President Durden discussed the liberal-arts advantage to teaching the sciences at the Johns Hopkins University's 2013 Gateway Sciences Initiative symposium.
In a Nov. 2012 op-ed published by Inside Higher Ed, President Durden discusses "A Useful Liberal Arts"
President Durden introduced a new Dickinson tradition in his 2012 Convocation speech and offered Convocation advice through the years.
In his 2012 Baccalaureate remarks, President Durden urges graduates to engage the world outside of Dickinson.
President Durden discusses how colleges can help students govern themselves in an October 2011 op-ed published in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In a September 2011 op-ed published in the Baltimore Sun, President Durden suggests how America can educate its way out of the recession.

More speeches & publications