Chester, Pa. When Daniel Gilligan of West Milford began his college education at Widener University three years ago, he never dreamed he would get to be president of the university before he graduated. Gilligan, a junior creative writing major, switched roles with Widener University President James T. Harris III on April 24 after winning the university’s President for a Day competition. Gilligan became the fifth student president of the university since the program started in 2003. Gilligan occupied the president’s office, his parking space, his schedule and his responsibilities for the day. President Harris, in turn, attended Gilligan’s classes. Among the activities on Gilligan’s schedule for the day was a focus group with students, a meeting with the director of campus safety on crisis management, a meeting with the director of facilities about a diabetic diet in the cafeteria, and a free student nacho bar. “I thought it was a great experience that every student should apply for,” Gilligan said. “You have the opportunity to meet and interact with people in the administration as equals. It was a great day all around.” President Harris attended Gilligan classes including a business law and an advanced poetry writing course where he had to read a poem. Gilligan was selected from a group of four finalists who gave presentations to the President for a Day selection committee on what they would do as president of Widener University. The committee then interviewed the students and selected a winner based on the presentations and interviews. In his presentation, Gilligan proposed hiring an ombudsman for the university who could address student issues and make recommendations for institutional improvements. Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive research university, Widener comprises eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. The university’s campuses in Chester, Exton, and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve some 6,700 students. Visit the university Web site, www.widener.edu.