William L. Fox '75
William L. Fox ’75 became the 18th president and a senior lecturer in history at his undergraduate alma mater on July 1, 2009, after serving as president and senior lecturer in philosophy, religion and history at Culver-Stockton College 2003-2009. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University in 1978 and the Ph.D. in American religious history from George Washington University in 1989.
As a scholar, President Fox has published three books: a study of Harvard theologian Willard L. Sperry (1991), the award-winning Valley of the Craftsmen (2001) and Lodge of the Double-Headed Eagle: Two Centuries of Scottish Rite Freemasonry (1999). He was also the founding and general editor of a 10-volume book series in church history and a former faculty member at Claremont Theological School, Montgomery College, Howard University and Goucher College.
As St. Lawrence’s president, Dr. Fox has focused on financial planning to achieve best efficiencies for the benefit of the St. Lawrence student body. Through a two-year, campus-wide Strategic Mapping process, he has encouraged the Laurentian community to consider curricular and co-curricular innovations, to strengthen and communicate more widely the St. Lawrence story of accomplishment and value, and to continue investments in the St. Lawrence campus, in its faculty and staff, and in its alumni advocates. Review the University's Strategic Map that will guide its future. President Fox has had a national voice through published essays in Inside Higher Education, Best Practices in Higher Education and The Huffington Post, and broadcast media such as WAMC and WPBS. In recognition of his leadership in higher education, The Council of Independent Colleges elected him to its Board of Trustees in January 2011.
President Fox's installation took place during the fall Board of Trustees weekend in October 2009. For more, please visit Inauguration: Celebrate the Authentic St. Lawrence Experience
Lynn Smith Fox recently retired as Senior Adviser to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, where she has worked in congressional and public affairs and internal communications since joining the Board in 1985. Ms. Fox’s prior positions at the Fed include Assistant Secretary to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and Director of the Office of Board Members which includes Congressional Relations, Public Liaison and operational support programs.
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Ms. Fox graduated from Smith College with honors in American Studies. She earned an MBA from George Washington University where she was a University Fellow. As a presidential spouse she is an active volunteer, both at St Lawrence and at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. Areas of special interest include community revitalization and education. Ms. Fox is also a Smith College volunteer and serves on that board.
Bill and Lynn have a daughter, Hallie, who worked as a fifth-grade special education teacher for “Teach for America” in New York City her first years after graduation. Hallie is a Middlebury College graduate now studying for her master's degree at Stanford University.
