After more than 30 years as an academic administrator, F.C. Richardson began the final leg of a dynamic academic career; on July 1, 1996, he was named chancellor of Indiana University Southeast by IU President Myles Brand.

Richardson immediately implemented steps to enhance campus communication by establishing an administrative council, made up of all of the vice chancellors, the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, his executive assistant and the director of equity and diversity, and an executive council, consisting of those officers, faculty senate representatives, academic deans, staff councils and student government representation. One key element Richardson built upon during his tenure was enrollment growth. During his first semester, enrollment stood at 5,381. Five years later, during fall 2001, enrollment had soared to 6,557 students—its highest level ever—a 20 percent increase overall. In addition to enrollment, Richardson initiated increasing the number of full-time faculty 21 percent, from 137 in 1995 to 174 in 2001.

Richardson advocated reciprocity, which established in-state tuition for residents in Southern Indiana and three Kentucky counties to attend the public universities in those areas. Reciprocity boosted the number of Kentucky students enrolled at IU Southeast from 235 in 1997 to 1,220 in 2001—a 41 percent increase.

During his installation ceremony, Richardson had pledged to lead the campus to the “next level of excellence.” He ended his six-year tenure, in 2002, having accomplished that very objective.