NASPA notes with great sadness the loss of Dr. William R. O'Connell, Jr., who passed away on Monday, October  19, 2009, in Williamsburg, Va. O'Connell served as president of New England College, a NASPA member institution, from 1985 to 1995.

Following his retirement from New England College, he served on the NASPA staff from 1996 to 2005 as director of the Health Education and Leadership Program (HELP), which was supported through two cooperative agreements with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program was an effort to make health issues on campus, particularly HIV/AIDS, a high priority for student affairs leaders. Under O'Connell's leadership, the program produced a number of campus programs and publications, including Leadership for a Healthy Campus: An Ecological Approach for Student Success, which outlined a community-based approach to achieving a healthy campus.

"Bill brought his wisdom, experience, leadership, and willingness to support NASPA’s mission at a critical time in the evolution of the association," said NASPA Executive Director Gwen Dungy. "He became a dear friend and colleague who would do anything for me. I will forever savor the taste of his true friendship."

O'Connell also served as vice president at the Association of American Colleges and Universities from 1979 to 1985. He was on the leadership team that produced Integrity in the College Curriculum, which set an agenda for the association's work on curriculum, faculty development and assessment for the next decade.

NASPA extends its condolences to his family and all who worked with him through NASPA, at New England College, and the higher education community. He is survived by his son, William O'Connell, III, and his daughter-in-law, Karen Boylan O'Connell.