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American Council on Education Presents 2009 Donna Shavlik Award to Peggy R. Williams

Washington, DC (Feb. 7, 2009)—The American Council on Education’s (ACE) Office of Women in Higher Education (OWHE) today honored Peggy R. Williams, president emerita of Ithaca College (NY), by presenting her with the 2009 Donna Shavlik Award in recognition of her lifelong commitment to advancing women’s issues in higher education.

The award was presented this evening during the Women’s Leadership Dinner hosted by OWHE as part of the ACE Annual Meeting currently underway at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.

The Donna Shavlik Award honors an individual whose leadership, both at colleges and universities and in national positions, has demonstrated a sustained and continuing commitment to the advancement of women through actions or initiatives enhancing women’s leadership development, career development, campus climate, and mentoring opportunities for women. The award is named for Donna Shavlik, a former longtime OWHE director who continues to advocate for giving women in higher education a greater leadership role.

“Peggy Williams has been a long-time and passionate supporter of women in higher education. Her involvement in ACE’s State Network and Office of Women in Higher Education, as well as her personal mentorship of women in academia, has helped to broaden the leadership pipeline for colleges and universities nationwide,” said Claire Van Ummersen, ACE vice president, Center for Effective Leadership.

Williams received her bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College of the University of Toronto. She also holds a master of education degree from the University of Vermont and a doctorate in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University.

Prior to beginning her career in education, Williams was a social worker for the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont and the Monroe County (NY) Department of Social Service. She held various positions in the Vermont State Colleges System and later joined Trinity College (VT), ascending to chair of the business and economics department and associate academic dean. Prior to being named the seventh—and first female—president of Ithaca College in 1997, she served as president of Lyndon State College (VT) for eight years.

At Ithaca College, she served as a member of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, as well as its Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues, and she served on the boards of directors of the Canada-U.S. Foundation for Educational Exchange (Fulbright). Williams also served as chair of ACE’s Commission on Women.

“Successful leaders stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before them. Many, many women owe their success to Peggy Williams and the encouragement she gave them to seek out challenges and reach their full potential. She is truly worthy of the Donna Shavlik Award,” said Donna Burns Phillips, director, OWHE.

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Recent Recipients of the Donna Shavlik Award:
2008 – Adrian Tinsley, president emerita, Bridgewater State College (MA)
2007 – Yolanda Moses, special assistant to the chancellor for excellence and diversity, University of California, Riverside, and former president, City College of New York
2006 – Donna Shalala, president, University of Miami
2005 – Caryn McTighe Musil, senior vice president, Association of American Colleges and Universities
2004 – Bette E. Landman, president, Arcadia University (PA)

About the American Council on Education: Founded in 1918, ACE (www.acenet.edu) is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.

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