William Paterson University inaugurates Kathleen Waldron
The Star Ledger
November 13, 2010
William Paterson University inaugurated a former bank executive as its new president today in a colorful — though low budget — ceremony that acknowledged the school’s strained finances.
Kathleen Waldron was presented the presidential robes, presidential medal and university mace before nearly 600 guests at the university’s Shea Center. After pumping the ceremonial wood mace in the air to a standing ovation, Waldron outlined her plans for the 155-year-old school in Wayne.
"We stand for what is best about public universities," said Waldron, 62. "We are a home for research and innovation, a place for learning and scholarship, a center for creative arts and music, a pathway for social mobility for diverse students and a partner with our communities."
The new president said her goals are to expand enrollment at the 11,000-student university, hire more professors, start new academic programs, build a new parking garage and renovate aging campus buildings. But she stressed campus improvements should not be "over the top" in the current economic climate.
Waldron, former president of Baruch College, took over as William Paterson’s seventh president in August. She was hired for the $295,000-a-year post after a national search to replace Arnold Speert, who retired after 25 years on the job.
