The life and legacy of former University President Paul Weller

By Sophia Oppedisano Editor-in-Chief President Nancy Niemi notified the University community of the passing of former University President Paul Weller in an email April 3. Weller was the president of then Framingham State College from 1985 to 1996. He led the College through its 150th anniversary in 1989, oversaw the creation of the Christa McAuliffe Center in 1986 following the Challenger disaster, and implemented the first Arts & Humanities series, according to Niemi’s email. Weller received a BS in chemistry from the University of Illinois and went on to earn his PhD at Cornell University before embarking on a career in higher education. According to his obituary, Weller was known as “warm, chatty, and always upbeat,” and he always “acted on his belief that being together, talking and reasoning together, brought us together.” Niemi wrote in her email, “Those who knew him remember not only his leadership, but also his warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit. They describe a remarkable ability to connect with others and to create spaces where ideas - and people - could thrive.” In an interview with The Gatepost, Niemi said although she did not have the opportunity to know Weller personally, she knows the University is a better place because of his “generous leadership. “To me, the most vivid and inspiring part of President Weller’s legacy is his belief in our community and its power to work together to do what universities do best: harness learning to share in the development of making the world better,” she added. From speaking with those who knew and worked with Weller, Niemi said she believes “kindness drove everything that he did.” The impact of projects such as the Arts & Humanities series and the McAuliffe Center and the way they have continued to “thrive” is proof of his lasting legacy on campus, she added. Irene Porro, director of the Christa McAuliffe Center, said she is grateful to Weller for “understanding the impact the center had not only at the time, but for the future.” She expressed how his work in making the center possible allowed the University to commit to carrying McAuliffe’s legacy forward. “This is a living and evolving institution that will impact people well into the future,” Porro added. Sue McDonald, Class of ’95, and former Editor-in-Chief of The Gatepost, said she remembers Weller as “incredibly approachable.” One of her favorite memories was when The Gatepost staff went trick-or-treating for Halloween and knocked on the door of Weller’s house. She said that was a particularly “edgy” thing to do, but Weller found their antics funny and handed them candy. “I think it was unusual at that time, when there was quite a distance between the leadership of a college and the students, that I felt I could walk into his office at any time, we could sit and have a conversation, and he would value my perspective. That philosophy carried through the entire administration, which made FSC a very special place to obtain a degree,” McDonald said. After leaving Framingham State, Weller retired to Sarasota, Florida. Niemi said, “I hold the change he helped foster close to my heart and carry it with me as an important part of the work we do together now.”