HISTORIC TRIANGLE — “Ten Questions with” is a series that allows readers to get to know local business leaders, volunteers and community members in the Historic Triangle.
This week, meet William G. Kelly.
What is your job title and description?
I’m honored to serve as the Sixth President of Christopher Newport University (CNU). My role is to support and guide our students, faculty and staff while creating opportunities for students to learn, grow and thrive. My priority is ensuring that CNU remains anchored in excellence as we serve the community and the Commonwealth.
Who do you interact/work with regularly?
As often as I can, I engage with students, faculty, staff, our Captains for Life, community partners, and leaders. It’s my privilege to be the University’s No.1 cheerleader and my responsibility to share our story.
How does CNU interact with the local community?
Christopher Newport has deep ties to the Peninsula that are continually strengthened by our students’ service-learning projects, our faculty’s research collaborations, and countless partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits. Service is one of our pillars, and as a result, our students volunteer thousands of hours each year, carrying out our mission to lead, serve and engage.
Additionally, our new Strategic Compass, our plan for the next five years, sets building stronger connections with the community as a priority.
We are committed to doing that as often and with as much impact as we can.
What is something about your job most people wouldn’t know about?
I make it a point to connect with students all day long, whether it’s over lunch in a dining hall, during one of my regular office hours, while cheering on our Captains at a performance or game, or while just walking across campus. And for early birds like myself, I lead our Wednesday Walks at 6:30 a.m. each week. I love these walks — they’re a chance to connect, get moving and start the day off right!
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I enjoy seeing our students challenge themselves, grow in confidence and develop into the leaders our world so desperately needs. When I retired from the Coast Guard, I sought a position with a university that shared my values and CNU does just that. The opportunity to guide students toward lives of significance, and lives shaped by our values of honor, service, scholarship and leadership, is immensely rewarding. I think back to all the people who mentored me, from my high school days, through my undergraduate years in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and then during my nearly four decades of service. I am so grateful to them and so honored and privileged now to mentor the next generation of leaders.
How do you define success?
The first measure of success is that Christopher Newport continues to educate and graduate leaders who embrace the values of honor, service, scholarship and leadership. We need to do that inclusively and, at all times, anchored in excellence. We want CNU to be an employer of choice for people in our region. And we are only a success if this University gives back and serves our neighbors. That is what it means to be a regional public university, but we will not be truly successful until we are the No.1 regional public university in the nation. I should point out, U.S. News says we’re already No.1 in Virginia, so we have a great head start toward achieving our goal.
What is your most successful accomplishment to date?
Building on Christopher Newport’s tradition of academic excellence, while also making sure that the University is no longer the best kept secret. I can tell you — the word is out! We’ve received a record number of applications for this incoming freshman class, and we can’t wait to welcome these accomplished students to campus in the fall.
What is your favorite place on the CNU campus?
The Great Lawn. It’s the heart of our campus, where we come together as a community to mark important milestones, like Commencement, or to simply relax and connect on a warm sunny day.
What do you do for downtime/to relax?
Spending time with my wife, Angie. We recently celebrated 37 years of marriage, and are the proud parents of two sons and the adoring grandparents to our young grandson, Liam, and our new granddaughter, Amelia.
I also love to read, enjoy being on the water, and of course taking in the beauty and culture of the Peninsula. Angie and I have a great time checking out the latest exhibition at the Torggler Fine Arts Center. And we were lucky enough to see Diana Ross perform recently at the Ferguson Center for the Arts.
What is the next step in your journey?
To continue to build on Christopher Newport’s legacy, ensuring that our students graduate prepared to succeed in their chosen fields, and to become engaged citizens, leaders and lifelong learners. Just as the Coast Guard taught me the importance of service, integrity and hard work, I want every Captain to leave here with those same values, ready to make a difference in the world.
Do you want to learn more about your community and the people who live and work in the Historic Triangle? We are looking for people with interesting jobs, super volunteers, or community leaders to showcase. Reach out to let us know if you (or someone you know) would like to be considered for Ten Questions.
