William H. Danforth | |
|---|---|
| 13th Chancellor ofWashington University in St. Louis | |
| In office 1971–1995 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Eliot |
| Succeeded by | Mark S. Wrighton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Henry Danforth II April 10, 1926 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 16, 2020(2020-09-16) (aged 94) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | William H. Danforth (grandfather) John Danforth (brother) |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) Harvard University (MD) |
William Henry Danforth II (April 10, 1926[1] – September 16, 2020)[2] was an Americanphysician, professor of medicine, academic administrator, and philanthropist. He was chancellor ofWashington University in St. Louis from 1971 until 1995. Danforth was the grandson ofRalston-Purina founder and St. Louis businessmanWilliam H. Danforth, and the brother of formerU.S. SenatorJohn Danforth.
William Danforth was born and grew up inSt. Louis, Missouri. He attended Community School,St. Louis Country Day School, andWestminster College inFulton, Missouri, and then transferred toPrinceton University, graduating in 1947. After attendingHarvard Medical School and interning atBarnes Hospital, he served as a physician in the Navy during theKorean War. Danforth returned to St. Louis and joined faculty ofWashington University School of Medicine in 1957 as acardiologist. This continued a connection to the university started by his grandfather, who had attended the University's Manual Arts School.
Danforth eventually took on administrative duties as vice chancellor for medical affairs at the university. He also did research in the laboratory of husband and wife Nobel laureatesCarl Cori andGerty Cori.[3] As vice chancellor, Danforth provided counsel to Chancellor Thomas Eliot during the 1960s, when there was much student unrest. In 1970, thefamily philanthropic foundation, of which he was president, made its first major gift to the university, an unrestricted $15 million, five-year grant.[4] With universal support, Danforth was namedWashington University's 13th Chancellor in 1971, replacingThomas H. Eliot.[3]
During his 24 years at the helm of the university, he is credited with having brought it to national stature. Chancellor Danforth raised $630.5 million under the Alliance for Washington University, which was the most successful fundraising campaign in U.S. higher education at that time.[5] He established 70 new faculty chairs, grew the endowment to $1.72 billion, oversaw the construction of dozens of new buildings, and tripled the amount of scholarships awarded to students. Almost 60,000 students graduated while Danforth was Chancellor, and retention of undergraduate students grew during his chancellorship. In addition, recruitment of minority students increased.[3]
Despite a rough start during the student unrest of the late 1960s and 1970s he was much loved by students and was commonly referred to as "Uncle Bill" or "Chan Dan".[5] Chancellor Danforth maintained a clear presence during his entire tenure at Washington University and was frequently seen walking the grounds and talking with students.
After retirement in 1995, as one of the longest-serving chancellors in the country, he continued to be involved in the university, serving as the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and was named Chancellor Emeritus in 1999.
Danforth founded theDonald Danforth Plant Science Center, named after his father, in 1998 and was the Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the center.[6] Before dissolving in 2011, theDanforth Foundation gave its final $70 million to the center. In total, under William's stewardship, the foundation contributed over $423 million to Washington University and $226 million to the Danforth Plant Science Center.[7]
In 1977, William H. Danforth was named "Man of the Year" by theSt. Louis Globe-Democrat. He also received the Alexander Meiklejohn Award from theAmerican Association of University Professors for his support of academic freedom.[3]
In 2006 the main "Hilltop" Campus of the university was named theDanforth Campus in recognition of the Danforth family's contributions to the university. In 2013, Danforth received The St. Louis Award.[8]
A scholarship program has been named after Danforth and his late wife, Elizabeth (known as Ibby); it is awarded annually to "the Washington University student who embraces high ideals, whose life choices are guided by personal integrity, selflessness, a commitment to community, and a dedication to leadership and academic excellence."[9]
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