Drew University names Hillary Link as Madison school's 15th president

William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
·2 min read

For the second time this week, a local university has named a new leader.

Drew University on Wednesday announced that it had chosen Hillary L. Link, a college executive with past experience at New York University, Columbia and Temple, to be its 15th president.

Link, most recently the president at Alleghany College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, was approved unanimously by Drew's board of trustees, the school said in a news release. She will succeed Thomas J. Schwarz, who helped guide the university through the COVID pandemic. His three-year term ends June 30.

"The past several years have been particularly challenging for small liberal arts colleges, and I look forward to working with Drew’s faculty and staff across the university," Link said.

Hilary L. Link has been named the 15th and first African-American president of Drew University in Madison.
Hilary L. Link has been named the 15th and first African-American president of Drew University in Madison.

“I am excited to step into the leadership of Drew University, a strong institution known for providing itsstudents with a truly immersive learning experience and for a faculty distinctively dedicated to studentsuccess,” she added.

Link led Allegheny from 2019 to 2022. Before that, she was dean of Temple University's program in Rome and vice provost at Columbia's Barnard College. She began her career as director of scholar programs at NYU, according to Drew's announcement. Link earned her bachelor’s degree at Stanford and both her master’s degree and a doctorate in Italian language and literature at Yale.

“Hilary’s experience and track record make her a natural fit for Drew, from her innovative leadership, commitment to the academic community, experience in the New York and international higher education spheres," said William W. Landis III, the board of trustees chairman.

Drew had about 2,200 students as of the 2021-22 school year. Allegheny had about 1,575.

The Drew Theology School at Drew University in Madison.
The Drew Theology School at Drew University in Madison.

Link's appointment came days after Centenary University in Hackettstown announced that Dale G. Caldwell would become the first African-American president in that school's 156-year history. He will take office and succeed Bruce Murphy, who is retiring in June.

Drew and Centenary, located about 34 miles from each other, were both founded in 1867.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com 

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Drew University new president: Madison NJ school names Hillary Link