Willis M. Tate | |
---|---|
President of Southern Methodist University | |
In office 1974–1975 | |
Preceded by | Paul Hardin III |
Succeeded by | James Zumberge |
5th President of Southern Methodist University | |
In office 1954–1971 | |
Preceded by | Umphrey Lee |
Succeeded by | Paul Hardin III |
Personal details | |
Alma mater | Southern Methodist University |
Occupation | Academic administrator |
Known for | President of Southern Methodist University |
Willis M. Tate (1912–1989) served as the president of Southern Methodist University from 1954 to 1971 and again from July 1974 to October 1975. [1] [2]
Willis M. Tate was born in Denver, Colorado. [2] He received a B.A. and an M.A. from Southern Methodist University. [1] He worked as a school principal in San Antonio, Texas, and returned to Southern Methodist to work as assistant dean of students in 1945 and professor of sociology. [1] [2] He served as its president from 1954 to 1975, with a one-year hiatus in 1974. [1] He died of a heart attack in Colorado in 1989. [1]
He served as chairman of the Independent College Funds of America and president of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the Methodist Church. [1] He was also a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Cycen Fjodr. [3] In 1965, he received the Alexander Meiklejohn Award of the American Association of University Professors for support of academic freedom. [2] [4]