Howard University is mourning the passing of Glegg L. Watson, a distinguished Jamaican-born alumnus, former member of the university’s Board of Trustees, respected corporate executive, journalist, author and philanthropist whose career spanned business, education and public service.
In a tribute issued by Howard University Board of Trustees Chair Leslie D. Hale, the institution honored Watson’s decades of leadership and unwavering commitment to his alma mater, describing his life as one dedicated to excellence, service and the advancement of future generations.
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Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Watson emigrated to Washington, D.C., at the age of 15, where he completed high school before enrolling at Howard University. As an undergraduate, he pursued a dual degree in Political Science and Economics while becoming deeply involved in campus life. He was active in student government, the Caribbean Association, the International Club, the World Affairs Club, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and represented the university on its soccer team.
Following his graduation in 1969, Watson continued his academic journey through a joint graduate programme at Cornell University and Syracuse University, earning a Master of Arts in Public Administration. He later completed executive education programmes at Harvard University’s Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, further strengthening his credentials as a leader in both the public and private sectors.
Watson’s professional career began in journalism while he was still a Howard student, serving as a reporter for The Washington Post during one of the most transformative periods in American history. He covered many of the defining events of the 1960s and later collaborated on Ten Blocks from the White House, a book examining the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
He later transitioned into corporate leadership, first joining Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked on organizational restructuring for businesses and government agencies. Watson would go on to spend more than three decades with Xerox Corporation, rising to the position of Vice President for Public and Urban Affairs for U.S. Customer Operations. In that role, he championed educational initiatives and philanthropic investments that supported colleges, universities and underserved communities across the United States.
Watson also made a lasting contribution to corporate diversity through his landmark 1982 publication, Black Life in Corporate America: Swimming in the Mainstream. Drawing on extensive research into the experiences of Black professionals in Fortune 500 companies, the book became an influential work examining race, opportunity and leadership in the corporate world.
Despite his many professional achievements, Howard University remained central to Watson’s life. From 1992 to 2003, he served on the Howard University Board of Trustees, where he contributed to the institution’s Finance and Academic Excellence committees. University officials credited him with providing strategic leadership and helping strengthen the institution during a pivotal period in its history.
Beyond Howard, Watson also served on the boards of trustees of Lincoln University and North Carolina A&T State University, reflecting his lifelong belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for social mobility, empowerment and lasting change.
In its tribute, Howard University extended condolences to Watson’s family, friends, colleagues and former classmates, while celebrating a legacy defined by integrity, intellectual achievement and public service.
Though he excelled as a journalist, corporate executive and author, those who knew Watson say his greatest legacy lies in the lives he influenced through mentorship, educational advocacy and his steadfast commitment to creating opportunities for others. His remarkable journey, from Kingston, Jamaica, to the highest levels of corporate America and academic leadership, stands as an enduring example of excellence, perseverance and service.
