William R. Harvey

William Robert Harvey (born January 29, 1941, Brewton, Alabama)^[1] is an American educator, academic administrator, and businessman who served as president of Hampton University from 1978 to 2022.^[2] He is the longest serving president in the school's history. Harvey became the first African-American owner in the soft drink bottling industry when he and his wife, Norma Baker Harvey, purchased a Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company franchise together in 1986.^[3][1]

William R. Harvey
Harvey in 2020
12th President of Hampton University
In office July 1, 1978 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Carl McClellan Hill
Succeeded by	Darrell K. Williams
Personal details
Born	William Robert Harvey (1941-01-29) January 29, 1941 (age 84) Brewton, Alabama, U.S.
Spouse	Norma Baker
Children	3
Residence(s)	Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Alma mater	Talladega College Virginia State University Harvard University

On December 15, 2020, He announced his plans to retire as President of Hampton University by June 2022. He officially retired on June 30, 2022, after serving nearly 44 consecutive years as president.^[4]

See also

• Dr. William R. Harvey Museum of Art