[3] Some of those programs included the Freshman Year Experience, a variety of programs that were designed to introduce new students to college study and which were recognized with national awards;[3] the implementation of a master's degree program that led to a multidisciplinary degree in environmental studies of the Great Lakes;[3] and the college's participation in Project Connect, an innovative communications network that connected the college with classrooms in area high schools.

[9][11] As a result of the alleged poor communications and management style of Richardson, it was reported that several top administrators at the college resigned from their positions.

[13][14] The issue about race at the college was made public when Dorcas Colvin, an associate vice president for human resources, and an African American woman, communicated with then-SUNY interim chancellor Joseph C. Burke and other government leaders, including then-governor Mario Cuomo by letter,[10][15] using the "N" word regarding statements by faculty relating to Richardson and the college.

[12] In a January 29, 1995 article by Michael Beebe that was published in The Buffalo News, Richardson is quoted, stating regarding his beliefs about the slur: Following the publicity surrounding Colvin's letter, it was reported that Richardson showed positive leadership ability by dealing with the issue and seeing to it that changes to the college's by-laws were enacted, prior to his departure, in order that the environment for future presidents at the college would be improved.

[10] Richardson had been chosen, unanimously, by the college's search committee as the new president in 1989 following the departure of D. Bruce Johnstone in becoming SUNY Chancellor.

[2][3][6] He was the unanimous choice by the university's board of trustees, following the recommendation of the system's president, Myles Brand (1942-2009).

[6] Richardson is known for leading fund-raising campaigns for the university that "brought an abundance of revenue,"[1] as well as for increasing student enrollments and improving technology.

During the 2006-2007 academic year, a presentation titled, "Citizens Making a Difference in America," sponsored by the university's Common Experience Program, featured Richardson, among other leaders, as an event speaker to increase dialogue about diversity.