President of Roger Williams U. Resigns Abruptly

Roy J. Nirschel, president of Roger Williams University, resigned abruptly late last week, the university announced on Tuesday without specifying a reason. During his nine years as president, Mr. Nirschel helped improve the university’s financial footing, creating an advisory Board of Overseers to cultivate donors. He also oversaw the institution through a controversial period that led to a major expansion of the Board of Trustees. His departure caught the faculty by surprise, The Providence Journal reported, particularly since he had recently announced a sweeping academic-reorganization plan.