FIHE President to leave the foundation in September

William E. Hamm, president of the Foundation for Independent Higher Education since 1999, has informed the foundation’s Board of Directors of his intention to leave his post in September, 2008.  He will at that time have completed nine years as the foundation’s president, the longest of any leader in the foundation’s fifty-year history.

Hamm intends to return to campus work.  “I’ve missed students, faculty and all the hustle and bustle and intellectual stimulation of campus life,” he said, “and I want to get back to my first love before I retire”.  Hamm previously served in a variety of roles at colleges in Iowa (twice), Alabama and California.  Just prior to becoming FIHE’s president he had served for thirteen years as president of Waldorf College in Iowa.

As president of the Foundation, Hamm oversaw the development of the UPS National Venture Fund, a major new initiative to encourage colleges to collaborate to address problems facing private colleges.  He also was instrumental in the development of what he calls the foundation’s “signature initiative,” First Opportunity Partners.  That initiative aims to assist private colleges in expanding access and ensuring success for first-generation, low-income, minority and new American students.