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In Memoriam: Billy O. Wireman, Founding Faculty Member and Second President of Eckerd College
posted on 07/17/2005
Dr. Billy O. Wireman, Founding Faculty Member and Second President of Florida Presbyterian College/Eckerd College, died Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the age of 72 after a three-year battle with cancer.
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| Dr. Billy O. Wireman as President of Eckerd College 1968-1977 |
"Billy Wireman was a man of great faith and vision," said Eckerd College President Dr. Donald R. Eastman III. "His belief in the power of a liberal arts education to develop young men and women into good citizens and to prepare them for lives of high and noble purpose continues to influence the character and programs of Eckerd College, as does his tireless work in support of international education and understanding. Eckerd College's ranking as the top college or university in the country in the percentage of students who study abroad is, in part, Billy's legacy.
"Just as important, however, was the humor, accessibility and genuine sweetness with which Billy seemed to greet everyone -- strangers as well as friends, students, faculty, staff and all others -- whether the news was good or, as it so often was in the early years of both of his presidencies, grim. He believed it was the duty of the Christian -- and he was a strong Presbyterian-- to be cheerful, even if it was wry cheerfulness. Like so many associated with Eckerd College, I loved being in his company."
Dr. Wireman joined the College in 1960 as a founding faculty member teaching physical education. He also served as the first coach of the men's intercollegiate basketball team and then as vice president for development. In 1968, Trustees called Dr. Wireman to service as president; at the time, he was only 35 years old and the country's youngest college president. Until 1977, Dr. Wireman captained the College through a tumultuous period. Early in his presidency, at a time of great financial distress threatening the College’s continuing survival, Dr. Wireman secured an initial $10 million gift from Trustee Jack Eckerd; that gift was followed by an additional $1.5 million gift from Mr. Eckerd to retire the college's operating debt. Demonstrating the College’s hallmark spirit of appreciation and gratitude to its supporters, Dr. Wireman led the initiative to change the College’s name from Florida Presbyterian College to Eckerd College on July 1, 1972.
Dr. Wireman last returned to Eckerd College for Reunion 2004. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, President Eastman presented Dr. Wireman with a resolution of appreciation, which also named "The Dr. Billy O. Wireman Conference Room" in the Armacost Library.
Dr. Wireman received honorary degrees from Eckerd College, the University of Tampa, Georgetown College, and Queens University. He is a 1954 graduate of Georgetown College (KY). After serving two years in the Marines, he continued his education, earning an MA in educational administration from the University of Kentucky and a PhD from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Wireman recently completed a successful 24-year tenure as president of Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. You may read more about Dr. Wireman's success at Queens in the Charlotte Observer at www.charlotte.com.
Dr. Wireman is survived by his wife Katie, their daughter Emily Smith and son-in-law Stuart Smith, their son Gary Wireman, and his aunt, Hettie Rhea Thomas. The family is receiving friends on Monday, July 18, 2005, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Harry and Bryant Co., 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 19, and at the Belk Chapel on Queens' campus at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. President and Mrs. Eastman and alumni will be representing Eckerd College at the services.
Saving grace for Eckerd dies at 72
St. Petersburg TImes
July 18, 2005
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