William Harvey plans to retire in 2022. Proud Hampton grad Allison Seymour reflects on his impact. Author: Allison Seymour Updated: 11:16 AM EST February 22, 2021 HAMPTON, Va. — As we celebrate Black history here at WUSA9, we honor those still making it, like Hampton University president, Dr. William R. Harvey. His more than four decades of leadership at Hampton stands among the longest tenures of a sitting president of any college or university in the United States. While his charismatic leadership has resulted in tremendous growth and success for the university, Dr. Harvey says the time has come for him to step down. Harvey has announced that he will retire after 43 years at the helm of this esteemed HBCU located in Virginia. Dr. Harvey leaves behind an indelible legacy that includes more than 90 new academic degrees, a dozen new doctoral programs, 29 new buildings , the establishment of the largest free standing proton beam cancer center in the world, launching four satellites still flying in space and an endowment that has grown from $29 million to over $300 million.