President Ousted Over DWI Charges

Frawley Cited in 2 Incidents in April

The president of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, who was twice charged last month with driving while intoxicated, was fired yesterday.

William J. Frawley, 53, had led the public university since July. The Board of Visitors, the university's governing body, announced his termination after meeting for several hours yesterday.

"After a great deal of deliberation and in recognition of our obligations to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington has decided that it is in the best interests of the University and the University community that this Board terminate Dr. William J. Frawley from his employment with the University, for cause, effective immediately," the board said in a statement.

Frawley, who lived on campus but also has a home in Chevy Chase, was charged with driving while intoxicated after he drove his car off the road April 10 in Fairfax County and it overturned, police said. Fredericksburg police said they arrested him on the same charge the next day after he was spotted driving erratically.

University spokeswoman Teresa Mannix said the 12 board members would not comment on their unanimous decision. She said that J. William Poole, rector of the board, told people gathered outside the site of the meeting that the board thought Frawley's actions "reflect poorly" on the university.

Frawley could not be reached to comment. On April 18, he apologized for the incidents and said a hospital stay had revealed a heart disorder. "I must stress that the events of April 10 and 11 are highly unusual and totally out of character for me," Frawley said that day. "I deeply apologize for any difficulties caused for the institution, the Board of Visitors or for the people and friends" of the university, he said.

Court records indicate that Frawley is scheduled to appear in a Fairfax court this month. He is scheduled to appear in a Fredericksburg court in July.

Frawley, who is a linguist, served as dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University before going to Mary Washington.

Richard V. Hurley, who had served as vice president of Mary Washington, has been named acting president.