His monographs for AUFS were tops among his contemporaries and he became a leading source about life and politics in Egypt for academic and government specialists for half-a-decade..
He was director of Princeton's Center of International Studies and editor of the academic journal World Politics from 1992 to 1998.
During his tenure at AUB, Waterbury sought to restore the university to its long-standing place and reputation as an institution of higher learning meeting the highest international standards.
[citation needed] AUB offered Waterbury an Honorary Doctorate during his last commencement exercises at the university in recognition of his achievements.
University of Chicago Egyptologist Peter Dorman succeeded him as the 15th president of AUB on July 1, 2008.