Harry L. Williams was chosen as Delaware State University's 10th president Friday, charged with the daunting task of moving the Dover school past financial challenges and the controversy that has surrounded it in recent years.
DSU's board of trustees unanimously voted to offer the job to Williams, the school's current provost, after a three-hour executive session Friday at Dover Downs Hotel. The vote follows a search that lasted more than a year and spanned two stages after trustees determined none of the finalists identified in the first round were a good fit for the university.
Before casting votes, board members said Williams' performance during his 18 months as provost set him apart from the other finalist, Philadelphia-area education consultant Leroy D. Nunery.
They said Williams gained their confidence through efforts such as launching a distance learning program and working with a state council to set education goals.
"Harry Williams not only has the ability ... but also an authoritative approach to the way he does things that gets things done," said board member Jose Echeverri.