Andrew Cordier
Andrew W. Cordier was brought in from a position at the UN to serve as an acting president in the wake of the 1968 protests and Grayson Kirk's departure. In a way, the conflict management experience from the UN proved essential, as Cordier's primary task was to cool things down at the University. He simply out-listened angry demonstrators at every turn with seemingly endless patience. Once the tide receded and the Trustees found a permanent solution for the Presidency, Cordier's job was at an end. As a gesture of appreciation for Cordier's efforts, the trustees retroactively made Cordier's appointment official, making him Columbia's 15th president.
| Preceded by Grayson Kirk |
President of Columbia University 1969-1970 |
Succeeded by William J. McGill |
