Former ASU president dies

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Former Alabama State University President, Dr. William H. Harris, has died.

Dr. Harris was the tenth president of ASU. He passed away Friday at the age of 79.

According to the ASU Archives, he brought 28 years of higher education experience to the school when he became president in 1994.

Dr. Harris was a south Georgia native and published historian who aimed to transform the school through excellence and diversity.

ASU says he introduced more high-demand programs, established the university’s first major endowment and generated a record 10.5% leap in minority enrollment.

“The University extends its deepest condolences to President Harris’s wife, former First Lady Wanda Harris; his son, Dr. William J. Harris; and his family, friends, former employees, alumni and the myriad people whom he impacted,” said ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr.

The family announced that final arrangements are pending, and will be shared once finalized.

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