Background
Cotter, William Reckling was born on March 9, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Fred Joseph and Esther Jean (Reckling) Cotter.
Cotter, William Reckling was born on March 9, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Fred Joseph and Esther Jean (Reckling) Cotter.
Bachelor in Political Science magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1958. Juris Doctor cum laude, Harvard University, 1961. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Bowdoin College, 1987.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), West Brook College, 1995. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), University New England, 2000. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Colby College, 2000.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Thomas College, 2003.
Law clerk to the United States Federal Judge, New York City, 1961-1962. Massachusetts Institute of Technology fellow in Africa Nigeria, 1962-1963. Associate firm Cahill, Gordon, Sonnett, Reindell & Ohl, New York City, 1963-1965.
White House fellow Washington, 1965-1966. Ford Foundation representative to Colombia and Venezuela, 1966-1970. President African-American Institute, New York City, 1970-1979, Colby College, 1979-2000, Oak Foundation, Boston and Geneva, Switzerland, 2000—2005, chair advisory committee, 1997—2007.
Consultant Robertson Foundation, since 2005.
Board directors Private Agencies Collaborating Together, 1975-1981, Waterville American Red Cross, 1980-1987, Kennebec Valley Regional Health Agency, 1982-1988, Mid-Maine Economic Development Сorporation. Chairman board trustees Oyster Bay-East Norwich (New York ) Public Library., 1975-1979. Trustee African-American Institute, 1970-2001.
Board directors Maine Public Broadcasting, 1979-2000. Chair board directors Waterville Regional Arts and Community Center, 1996-2000. Chairman board visitors Baxter School for the Deaf, 1982-1987.
Chairman committee for study court structure, probate and family law matters, 1985. Board advisors Carrabassett Valley Academy, 1981-1991. Chair committee on public disclosure New England Association Schools and Colleges, 1987.
Trustee Westbrook College, 1986-1992. Past member executive committee South African Education Program. Past member commission on government relations American Council on Education.
Commissioner State of Maine Education Commission. Member National Commission on Responsibilities for Financing Postsecondary Education, 1991-1993. Board visitors University Maine School Law.
Past chair and director National Association Indiana Colleges and Universities. Trustee Colby College, since 1979. Trustee Olin College, since 2002, Massachusetts History Society, since 2004, treas, since 2009.
Chairman Robertson Scholars Program, Duke University, University North Carolina, 2004-2007. Member National Association Indiana Colleges and Universities (past chair and director), Council Foreign Relations, Harvard Club (New York City).
Married Linda Jane Kester, June 14, 1959. Children: David Andrew, Deborah Anne, Elizabeth Anne Schlax.