College of William and Mary
02/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/02/2026 09:02
How college presidents succeed
How college presidents succeed
Join Katherine A. Rowe, Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98, W. Taylor Reveley III and W. Taylor Reveley IV for a lively discussion on leadership.
Published February 2, 2026
W. Taylor Reveley III HON '18, LL.D. '18 (left), president emeritus of William & Mary, and his son, W. Taylor Reveley IV, president of Longwood University, enjoy time together in 2018 after Longwood concluded a summer retreat in Williamsburg. (Photo by Skip Rowland '83)
The following story originally ran in the winter 2026 issue of the W&M Alumni Magazine. - Ed.
University presidents are under increased scrutiny, with the average president serving fewer than six years. Yet three generations of the Reveley family - Hampden-Sydney College President-Emeritus W. Taylor Reveley II, William & Mary President-Emeritus W. Taylor Reveley III HON '18, LL.D. '18 and Longwood University President W. Taylor Reveley IV - successfully led major Virginia colleges and universities for decades, a legacy unmatched in higher education.
A new book from Michael Nelson '71, "How College Presidents Succeed: Lessons in Leadership from Three Generations of Reveleys," draws on the experiences of these three leaders to reveal best practices in leadership across industries.
During Charter Day weekend, on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Glenn Close Theater in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall, join W&M President Katherine A. Rowe, W&M Chancellor Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98, W. Taylor Reveley III and W. Taylor Reveley IV for a lively discussion on leadership in complex times.
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