James T. Harris III
Dr. James T. Harris III became the ninth president of Widener University in 2002. Prior to his arrival at Widener, Dr. Harris served eight years as president of Defiance College. During his highly successful tenure, the college developed several innovative initiatives, including the Presidential Service-Leader Scholarship Program: The McMaster School for the Advancement of Humanity and, according to U.S. News and World Report, national recognition as one of the top service-learning schools in the country. For his dedicated leadership and service to Defiance College, the faculty and trustees unanimously voted to award him The Pilgrim Award, the college’s highest honor.
During Dr. Harris’ tenure as president, Widener has achieved record levels of private and governmental support and attracted the largest freshman class in the school’s history. In fall 2006 and 2007, Washington Monthly magazine ranked Widener as one of the top 250 universities in the country that do the most for our nation. Widener ranked 47th, placing it among the top 25 private universities in the United States. The school has also improved its physical plant through the development and implementation of a new master plan for the main campus that includes 50,000 square feet of new science and engineering space, renovated dining hall and dormitories, a new apartment style residence hall and a new Wellness Center. In 2007, ground was broken for a $50 million Providence Avenue Revitalization Project.
Dr. Harris has been an advocate for enhancing Widener’s reputation as a “student-centered” learning community. He regularly holds public town hall meetings and meets with students in small groups on a regular basis to seek input on how to improve the university’s learning environment. He frequently works alongside students on community service projects and participates in the university’s alternative spring break. In 2006, Dr. Harris accompanied a group of Widener students to Bolivia to renovate a school in an impoverished rural community.
Once a year he trades places with a student who becomes President for the Day, while Dr. Harris fulfills the student’s campus responsibilities, including attending classes. Dr. and Mrs. Harris host hundreds of students at their home every year. In addition, he continues to be a guest lecturer in various classes at Widener and has taught an honors leadership course in the School of Business Administration.
Dr. Harris has been asked to serve in several local, state and national leadership roles. A few examples of his responsibilities beyond Widener include membership on the board of directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and for the Pennsylvania Campus Compact. He also serves on the President’s Council for Project Pericles. Earlier in his career he served on a national commission for the advancement of service-learning established by President Clinton and since 2002, he has been a member of the faculty of the Management Development Program at Harvard University.
In recognition of his considerable contributions to education and the communities he has served, Dr. Harris has been the recipient of many awards and honors. Two examples include being named one of the top 50 character building university presidents in the United States by the John Templeton Foundation as well as being awarded the highest honor from the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the NAACP for his commitment to civil rights and social justice issues. In 2007, he was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the university’s contributions to the local communities.
Dr. Harris has earned degrees from the University of Toledo, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and The Pennsylvania State University. All three of his alma maters have recognized Dr. Harris as a distinguished alumnus; Penn State bestowed upon him the lifetime title of Alumni Fellow. He has published widely and is frequently asked to speak about the importance of civic engagement.
