Hollins Names Nancy Oliver Gray President
Hollins University has announced that Nancy Oliver Gray, president of Converse College, will become the eleventh president
of Virginia’s oldest chartered women’s college.
She will officially take office at Hollins in January 2005.
"We wanted a proven leader, and Nancy’s five years at Converse have ably demonstrated her abilities,” said Linda Koch Lorimer, who chaired
the presidential search committee. “To attract a sitting president of a sister women's college--and a president who has been so successful -- was a
dream come true.” (A Hollins alumna and member of the university’s board of trustees, Lorimer is former president of Randolph Macon Woman’s
College in Lynchburg and currently vice president at Yale University.)
Converse, an independent liberal arts college for women located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, made great strides after Gray became president in
1999. An $82.5 million capital campaign, the largest in the school’s history, was completed in 2003, allowing the construction of a new science
facility and athletics complex. A new undergraduate honors program and new opportunities for faculty research and development were implemented. During
her tenure, $25 million was invested in new and upgraded campus facilities.
Gray brings to Hollins a deep commitment to the liberal arts and especially to women’s colleges. “I am a passionate convert to women’s
education, having seen first-hand the remarkable transformation that happens to young women between their first year and graduation,” she said.
“To see that kind of transformation for women’s college students is simply exhilarating.”
"Nancy’s understanding, appreciation and keen respect for the academic mission of Hollins was evident from the beginning,” added Lorimer.
Gray’s acceptance of Hollins’ presidency culminates an intensive search that began shortly after the death in January of this year of the
university’s tenth president, Nora Kizer Bell. "One of Nancy’s great strengths is bringing healing and cohesiveness where it is needed, both
on college campuses and beyond,” said Tom Hannah, chairman of the Converse College Board of Trustees.
Provost L. Wayne Markert, who has served as acting president of Hollins since Dr. Bell’s passing, will continue in that capacity until Gray’s
arrival in January.
A 1973 graduate of Vanderbilt University, Gray was appointed to her alma mater’s board of trustees immediately upon graduation. She went on to work
in student affairs at Vanderbilt and then focused on development and institutional advancement in positions at a number of colleges and universities,
eventually serving with distinction as vice president of development and alumnae relations from 1991 – 1998 at Rider University in New Jersey. She
was vice president of seminary relations at the Princeton Theological Seminary when she became Converse’s eighth president.
Gray also holds a master of education degree from North Texas State University and completed additional course work in higher education administration
at Vanderbilt.
Gray will be joined in Roanoke by her husband, David Maxson. Recognized in Who’s Who in American Women, she serves on the board of trustees
for Brevard Music Center, Princeton Theological Seminary, South Carolina Women in Higher Education, Spartanburg Day School, the Music Foundation of
Spartanburg, the Wye Faculty Seminar Governing Council, Girl Scouts of America, and Bank of America’s local advisory board in Spartanburg. She
participated in Leadership Spartanburg 2000, Share the Vision, and is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg.
In September, 2002, she was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from Presbyterian College.
"Nancy will be a great role model for our students,” said Lorimer.