William McGill
William J. McGill was brought in to clean up the post-1968 mess. McGill inherited a University in financial free-fall and on the verge of closing its doors. McGill tightened the belt on the Arts and Sciences and leaned on the professional schools for tuition money. McGill effectively saved the University and restored financial order, but at a tremendous price. Columbia plummeted from the ranks of elite schools thanks to faculty hiring freezes and other measures.
| Preceded by Andrew W. Cordier |
President of Columbia University 1970-1980 |
Succeeded by Michael I. Sovern |
