A Lightning Rod on Civil Rights

Norma Cantu changes the debates on affirmative action, desegregation, and athletics

By PATRICK HEALY

Washington

Given Norma V. Cantu's provocative agenda as the nation's top civil-rights enforcer for education, it was only fitting that college officials spent her sixth anniversary, in May, up in arms over the latest controversy of her tenure.

Ms. Cantu, the head...