About NaropaLeadershipPast PresidentsWilliam McKeever

William McKeever

Executive Director 1977–1978

About


William McKeever has been a student of Shambhala and Buddhism since 1972 when he met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche while getting his degree in Buddhist Studies at Yale. Immediately following graduation he moved to Tail of the Tiger, now Karmê Chöling, to begin his dharma study, practice and teaching. McKeever has served as director of Karmê Chöling; vice president of Naropa University, where he coordinated the university’s successful accreditation effort; faculty member of Naropa’s graduate department of contemplative psychotherapy; founding director of the Ryuko Kyudojo; assistant director of education for Nalanda Foundation; as well as a member of the Shambhala Board of Directors under Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. He has been a member of the Shambhala Trust since its inception until 2002 and served as its chairman. He has taught at many Shambhala programs from 1975–2005.

From 1992–2001, he served as director of Asian activities of the prestigious New York based Asia Society, which educates Americans about Asian cultures and contemporary affairs. While at Asia Society he opened regional offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Manila, Melbourne, San Francisco and Seattle. He also led tours to Mongolia, Burma (Myanmar), Bhutan, India, China, and Central Asia. Most recently he became a senior program advisor to the Garrison Institute, a new ecumenical retreat and conference center on the Hudson River north of New York City.

He has four adult sons, Noah Davis, Jonathan, Edward and Montford.

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Academics

Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

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If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.

Life at Naropa

Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community,  “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom

The Naropa Difference

How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

About Naropa

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.