President Reid Announces Retirement

Dear Alumni and Friends of Williamson,

Summer is flying by as it always seems to do, but much is happening on campus and with your School.

Following more than 12 years at America’s most respected trade school, I have announced my plans to step down as president of The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades. At the 2008 Alumni Banquet on May 31, Williamson’s Board Chair, Wayne Watson 4W8, announced initiation of the search for a new president.

In my tenure, I have been privileged to be part of some of the major milestones in our School’s 120 year history. The recent acquisition of the largest gifts in the School’s history, over $45 million from Philadelphia area philanthropists Gerry Lenfest and Henry Rowan, has been particularly important to tomorrow’s Williamson students. These gifts, along with the returns of a challenge grant, will virtually double the size of Williamson’s endowment and boost the School’s Legacy Campaign to more than $62 million. This is particularly rewarding for me personally as these gifts to endowment will help ensure the vitality of Williamson well into the future.

As Mr. Watson reported at the Alumni Banquet, I will remain in my position until the search and transition have been completed. If all goes well, that transition will take place next summer. In addition, I will retain a direct relationship with the institution beyond the appointment of the new president by serving as a trustee and in the newly formed position of chancellor. I will work with the new president and the trustees to promote relationships between Williamson and the community, the alumni and Williamson’s many friends in the region.

You can help Williamson find the finest possible new president. If you are aware of someone with the right qualifications, please encourage that person to get in touch with Wickenden and Associates of Princeton, the search firm working with the trustees. You may view the particulars of the search criteria at www.wickenden.com or you may contact Dr. James Wickenden directly at 609-683-1355.

Cheryl and I consider our years at Williamson to be a wonderful capstone to our professional and personal lives, and ending our time here is bittersweet. But it is time for new leadership and our School is now positioned to fulfill a new set of aspirations and dreams. The entire Williamson family, and I include you in that number, has accomplished much to fulfill the charge presented by the Board in 1996. I am particularly proud to have been a part of institutionalizing the core values of Faith, Integrity, Diligence, Excellence and Service, and leading the planning processes that have created a set of goals and a common vision as the building blocks for Williamson’s future.

One major result of that vision was the ability to translate the image of excellence to people who support the School financially. That led to Into A Third Century, the first meaningful capital campaign in the School’s history – raising $11 million in six years – and resulted in many improvements to the campus and to our programs. Most recently, we announced the close of the Legacy Campaign initiated in 2003 with a goal of $50 million. Surpassing this goal by more than $12 million is a tribute to you and to others who continue your sacrificial support to Williamson.

We’ve attempted to establish a foundation that’s reflective of the values of the institution . . . values that are more than words on a document. They are character qualities that define Williamson and its graduates.

Please join Cheryl and me as we celebrate a successful end to this particular role as members of the Williamson family – being your president has resulted in relationships we will cherish forever.

Finally it is time for us all to commit ourselves and our resources to support my successor and the trustees as Williamson begins a new chapter of service and excellence with faith, integrity and diligence.

God bless you all and God bless The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades.

Fondly,

Paul A. Reid
President