William M. Chace

William M. Chace is professor of English emeritus at Stanford University, where he teaches courses on James Joyce, Irish fiction, critical thinking, and poetry. He was president of Wesleyan University from 1988 to 1994 and of Emory University from 1994 to 2003 and is the author of One Hundred Semesters: My Adventures as Student, Professor, and University President.

What I Have Taught—and Learned

After 50 years as a professor, I understand that my job is to make students think hard about thinking

by William M. Chace | Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Books Should Be Read Before They Are Taught

Dive into our newest Monday blog, in which guest columnists recall the wisdom imparted by their favorite mentors

by William M. Chace | Monday, March 28, 2016

Affirmative Inaction

Opposition to affirmative action has drastically reduced minority enrollment at public universities; private institutions have the power and the responsibility to reverse the trend

by William M. Chace | Thursday, December 01, 2011

A Question of Honor

Cheating on campus undermines the reputation of our universities and the value of their degrees. Now is the time for students themselves to stop it

by William M. Chace | Thursday, March 01, 2012

The Decline of the English Department

How it happened and what could be done to reverse it

by William M. Chace | Tuesday, September 01, 2009

The Ultimate Burden

Is it even possible for universities to do what the Supreme Court asks?

by William M. Chace | Monday, June 24, 2013