NATION

Harold W. McGraw Jr., chairman of the board of McGraw-Hill Inc. since 1976, will retire following the corporation’s annual meeting on April 27. He will continue to serve McGraw-Hill as chairman emeritus.

McGraw, who turned 70 last month, is retiring in accordance with the board’s retirement policy and is not standing for reelection.

McGraw said the board intends to elect Joseph L. Dionne chairman. He is now president and chief executive.

McGraw started his 41-year career with the corporation as a sales representative with the McGraw-Hill Book Co. in 1947.

He became president in 1968 and in 1974 was elected president of the parent corporation, McGraw-Hill Inc. He was named chief executive in 1975 and became chairman the following year.

In 1983, he stepped down as chief executive, continuing as chairman of the McGraw-Hill board and chairman of its executive committee.