Affectionately called "Dean Hardy," Dr. Carroll Francis Stuart Hardy, was hired as Associate Dean of Multicultural Affairs, eventually rising to Associate Vice President of Student Affairs. She is remembered as a tireless advocate for diversity at W&M and improving the campus experience for students of color.
Among her many accomplishments at W&M and beyond was the establishment of the National Black Student Leadership Development Conference for college students across the country. She established Summer Transition and Enrichment Program (STEP), which introduced underrepresented high school juniors to higher education. This program emphasized math, writing, and study skills to best prepare prospective students for the rigors of William & Mary
She also founded the Hulon Willis Association for African American students and alumni, worked to increase diversity of W&M's student body through six summer enrichment programs for students in grades 8 to 12, and helped create and support 15 multicultural student organizations at William & Mary.
Hardy, who received honorary alumna status at W&M, passed away in 2012.
In 2016, Jamestown North was renamed Hardy Hall in her honor, while Jamestown South became Lemon Hall, becoming the first buildings at William & Mary named for persons of color. The following year the Carroll F.S. Hardy Scholarship Endowment was founded.
References
- Dean
- Scholarships, Research, and Carroll Hardy
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W&M community honors the late Carroll F.S. Hardy with namesake scholarship
- Zagursky, E. (2016, October 16). History made: W&M dedicates first buildings named for people of color. W&M News Archive.