Ex-Energy Czar O’Leary Takes University Post

Former U.S. Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary was named president of Fisk University on Tuesday, becoming the fifth person to head the financially struggling black institution in almost a decade.

“I’m excited to be back,” said O’Leary, a 1959 Fisk graduate. “I’m looking forward to meeting these wonderful students and working with an exemplary faculty that has hung on for so long.”

Many are hoping O’Leary, 67, will be able to stabilize Fisk, which has dealt with money problems since its founding in 1866. The university nearly closed 20 years ago because of lack of funding.

Last October, the school’s most recent president, Carolynn Reid-Wallace, suddenly resigned. Fisk has not had long-term stability since Henry Ponder retired in 1996 after 12 years at the helm.

O’Leary comes to the university from Blaylock & Partners, an investment banking firm in New York. Before joining the Clinton administration, she worked for utility Northern States Power Co. at her own consulting firm and as a lawyer.