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Nichol talks about family, future

1 April 2008 | By Angela Cota, Flat Hat Staff Writer | The Flat Hat » news

Former College President Gene Nichol was featured and interviewed Friday evening during the inaugural broadcast of “What Matters” on WHRO. The interview was Nichol’s first since he resigned Feb. 12.

Nichol answered questions about his departure and his family in the half-hour show. He also maintained that he was fired for the four reasons outlined in his Feb. 12 e-mail to students. Nichol has denied requests for an interview with The Flat Hat several times, both in person and via e-mail.


Photo courtesy of WHRO.

WHRV radio personality Cathy Lewis hosts “What Matters,” which she said focuses on issues that do not receive attention from the mainstream media.

Lewis introduced Nichol and presented a timeline of his presidency, including his 2005 installation, the 2006 removal of the Wren cross and the recent Sex Workers’ Art Show.

The interview mostly focused on Nichol’s preparations to move back to work at University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill.

“My wife and I have accepted appointments at North Carolina, which will be something of a homecoming,” he said. “But I think of the students, the faculty members, the really singular character of the College of William and Mary and how much I’m going to miss it. I’m much more moved to think and talk about that than [presidential controversies].”

Nichol stressed several times how much he would miss students and faculty.

“Thinking now about leaving the College and thinking about what a singular place it is — those are the largest matters on my mind right now,” he said.

He added the students give him “faith for the future,” and this experience has been “one that has a larger impact on me than certainly anything in my professional life.”

Lewis asked if that dramatic support from students was a comfort during the controversy, which she said occasionally became vitriolic.

“By any read of internet traffic on this, I was struck by [the] viciousness of some of the commentary; it seemed to have crossed the line, and we’re really not accustomed to seeing this,” she said.

“Being involved in a series of controversies has complicated results,” Nichol responded. “The support [of the students] was among the most touching experiences of my life.”

He also agreed that some of the responses were vicious.
“There is also a dark side of this. There has been viciousness, which I hadn’t anticipated. It’s complicated to comment on it,” he said. “It’s hard to tell where such a line is when you’re a public figure. When you take on a public mission and role, you do it willingly, and I did.

“But the kids and family — they didn’t take this on. I decided to become president of the College of William and Mary — my wife didn’t do that, my daughters didn’t do that. I know there’s a theory, if you’re trying to run the guy out, that’s what you do, but I think you could conclude that that’s unworthy.”

Nichol also said that he remains committed to the idea of the College being a public university and that it is crucial that it remain such.

“I am still an advocate of higher public education to the bottom of my feet,” he said.

The former president looks forward to researching again and shared his view on the country from his perspective as a Constitutional scholar, reflecting on the values that inspired the Gateway program.

“The door to equal opportunity still at the heart of many problems — this is of particular interest to me,” he said. “[I have a] concern that we too easily turn our gaze away from those locked at the bottom, economically particularly.”

Nichol said he looks forward to teaching again and “not having to worry so much about what the fellow next door might be thinking.” He has no plans to re-enter the collegiate political sphere.
“I am going to UNC to teach and write,” he said. “I am not a candidate in the chancellor’s race.”

In addition to teaching, Nichol says he will be, “chasing [his wife] back and forth a little bit.” Glenn George recently received a Fulbright Scholarship and will spend time studying in China.

“What Matters” concluded with a commentary in which Lewis said that the next step for the College is a search for the new president. The search will start next fall as Nichol moves on to UNC.

  1. Interesting – does someone from the flat hat know if there were any reasons why he declined to be interviewed? That seems very unfortunate.

    This interview seems like it was more balanced – that’s good. Still, its disappointing that he never mentioned the viciousness of his supporters in online forums, and the kind of accusations they’ve made about students, faculty, and alumni who support the decision of the BOV. I would have liked to hear him say “both sides should tone down the viciousness” rather than single out one side – but you can understand why he said what he said.


    — d kuehn    Apr 1, 09:41 AM    #

  2. The bright students at the college, the professors, the BOV and everyone else is moving on…. I would prefer to see more stories about the wonderful things that the college and it’s students are doing now, instead of looking back…..


    — WM Parent    Apr 1, 10:09 AM    #

  3. At least it seems like Nichol has calmed down a little bit from his e-mail when he resigned, but when was his family ever attacked?


    — Nick ('09)    Apr 1, 11:08 AM    #

  4. Can anyone remember or document an instance where Nichol’s family [wife and/or children] were “viciously attacked” publicly as Nichol has claimed many times?


    — Jeff '62    Apr 1, 11:18 AM    #

  5. Check Daily Press’s website and click back through the Sex Worker Art Show and Wren Cross articles and letters and the online forums attached to them. Many comments were made about how Nichol’s daughters should take part in the Sex Show, how it’s hypocritical for Nichol to send his daughters (as if his daughters had no free will or choice) to private univiersities where the cross is still in on-campus chapels, how his daughters and wife are ugly and fat, etc., etc., etc. It was worse on some of the blogs, but I certainly don’t remember which ones.

    I don’t have a link to the specific forums and articles in the Daialy Press handy, but with a little digging you can find a lot of it.


    — .....    Apr 1, 12:43 PM    #

  6. I can remember at least one instance during the height of Wren Cross mania of Nichol’s daughter having harassing comments yelled at her while she was in Williamsburg.


    — Max Fisher    Apr 1, 02:01 PM    #

  7. There were definitely nasty and wretched comments leveled at the Nichol family, including comments about Pres. Nichol’s physical appearance. Those statements were so personal in nature, they detracted from the legitimate discussion about Mr. Nichol’s qualifications for and acts as president.


    — Mike '92    Apr 1, 02:43 PM    #

  8. WM Parent,

    We’re doing great things now because of Nichol’s inspiration and guidance. These are the things which we will refuse to forget about his tenure.


    — WM Student    Apr 1, 04:01 PM    #

  9. You have to admit that Nichol and Powell are the most unattractive college president and rector in the Commonwealth. Let’s face it, appearance matters in our culture and these guys don’t have what it takes to influence the right people (i.e. big donors).


    — MacSuile    Apr 1, 04:48 PM    #

  10. WM Student,
    I am glad that you are doing great things now, as many who have been there before you. For all of the students who were not as inspired as perhaps you were, maybe now they can reach their potential and be equally inspired and not feel like they were held back….I am thankful that everyone is moving forward, together, as one. I wish the very best for you, in whatever path you choose.


    — WM Parent    Apr 1, 06:33 PM    #

  11. The Chronical of Higher Education has a good article about how a successful President must be “architects of a middle ground, shaping a center that is able to hold. Nichol failed to maintain that balance. He failed to preserve the civil discourse and protect the dignity of even those with whom he disagreed. This is why he failed. Sullivan understood that leadership and ideology were two different concepts. Leadership means more than wallowing in the praises of people who share your ideology.


    — WJS    Apr 2, 12:08 PM    #

  12. Nichol was indeed attacked for things having absolutely nothing to do with his job as President, as were his family. Sarcasm is one thing but personal attacks concerning irrelevant matter is another. However, if his daughters attend universities where there is a cross in the chapel, that’s a valid criticism, however weak and unimportant it may be. (Were they also not subject to this horrendous “offensiveness” he was trying to protect us from?) Still, attacks on his weight, education, etc. – all totally inappropriate and unproductive. I’m certainly no Nichol fan but fairness requires that we acknowledge these unfortunate incidents, no matter how seldom they occured. Those kind of attacks did not help anyone and in fact indirectly aided Nichol by earning him sympathy (and rightly so too).


    — owens    Apr 3, 01:41 PM    #

  13. Nitwits in the blogosphere often say things that are not at all nice and are generally either false or irrelevant. Most people simply consider the source and roll their eyes. My problem with Nichol continuing to bring this up is that whatever attacks were made are totally irrelevant to what happened to him, which was all due to his own actions. Pro-Nichol bloggers were frequently both vicious and nasty concerning Nichol opponents, and no one has come forward to apologize for that. The blogosphere is what it is, and should be taken for what it is worth. The Board both deplored the unconstructive noise and ignored it.

    There were comments made by some people about Nichol’s weight, of course, which was also parodied in the Fat Head, but those comments did not affect the decision and in the end probably even helped him. They helped Nichol in that they caused people to stop thinking about the issues at hand — Nichol’s fitness to lead the College — and instead focus on the emotional issues that were generated. In the materials we prepared for the Board, we were very careful to ensure that nothing remotely personal was said.

    Nichol can say what he likes about “great and public” schools, but his track record so far is to ensure that his children do not attend one of them.


    — Jim Jones    Apr 4, 12:46 PM    #