Former Sec. Gates starts new job at W&M

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) - Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates returned to his alma mater, The College of William and Mary, to take on an honorary position as chancellor.

Gates retired from his post as Secretary of Defense a few months ago, but said he's been too busy to relax. Speaking engagements and writing books have become the norm, but Gates was happy to become the institution's 24th chancellor. 

Before he was invested in a ceremony at William and Mary Hall on Friday, Gates talked with reporters about what he considers the most difficult national security threat, Iran. 

"There's only one good outcome, that the Iranian government for whatever set of reasons, whatever set of pressures, decides not to seek a nuclear weapons capability," Gates said.

Gates is the first defense secretary to serve under presidents from different political parties.

He is replacing Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as chancellor of his alma mater. Gates graduated in 1965.