Chancellor, UMass Amherst: 2007-2008

The first president of Clark Atlanta University, a historically black, four-year liberal arts college, Thomas W. Cole Jr. was tapped to be interim chancellor of the Amherst campus.

During his tenure, he was known for his quiet leadership style and for keeping the campus on track with new construction and hiring of faculty. He established Founders Day, a celebration of the history of UMass Amherst.

• Cary, H. (1962). The University of Massachusetts: A History of 100 Years. Amherst: University of Massachusetts.