Stone Retires; Service Spans Three Decades

February 10, 2012

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Longtime Stanford alumni association president William E. Stone, '67, MBA '69, announced in September that he was retiring, effective December 31, ending a career that spanned two generations of students and four Stanford presidents. He will continue at the University as a special consultant to President John Hennessy.

Stone has led the 75,000-member association since 1977. Prior to that, he was an assistant dean in student affairs from 1969 to 1971 and assistant to President Richard W. Lyman from 1971 to 1977. His resignation prompted an outpouring of affection and praise.

"Bill has helped shepherd the Alumni Association through one of the most dynamic periods in Stanford's history with intelligence, sensitivity and, of course, great wit. It's comforting to know that although Bill will no longer manage the day-to-day affairs of the association, we will continue to benefit from his counsel and keen sense of humor in his role as a consultant and president emeritus," said Hennessy.

Stone manages a staff of 100 and a wide-ranging alumni services program responsible for regional and class events; an extensive travel/study operation; a family camp, ski chalet and conference center in the Sierra Nevada mountains; STANFORD magazine and several special Interest publications; alumni products and services; online communication; continuing alumni education; and an alumni volunteer network.

In 1987, Stone received the University's Kenneth M. Cuthbertson Award for Exceptional Service to Stanford. He served as a national trustee of the Washington, D.C.--based Council for Advancement and Support of Education, which in 1991 honored him with a tribute award.

Stone announced his retirement to SAA staff assembled in the boardroom of Bowman Alumni House, which the association will vacate early next year to move into the new 116,000-square-foot Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center. "I'm a little tired," Stone, 55, told the staff, and he joked that his new duties as Hennessy's consultant "might allow me to cut back to fulltime."

A search for Stone's successor is under way.

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