Arthur Cutts Willard (August 12, 1878 – November 11, 1960) was the ninth president of the

University of Illinois The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I, Illinois, University of Illinois, or UIUC) is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the Univer ...

and an innovator in the field of heating and ventilation. Known for being approachable, a gentleman and well-dressed; he was known and admired by many.Ben Lieberman, (July 1934). University of Illinois News. Record Series 39/4/1, University of Illinois Archives He received worldwide acclaim for his research and contribution to the heating, ventilating field; in particular for his contributions to the

Holland Tunnel The Holland Tunnel is a vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River that connects the New York City neighborhood of Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan to the east with Jersey City in New Jersey to the west. The tunnel is operated by the Port Author ...

."History - Holland Tunnel - The Port Authority of NY & NJ"
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, 2010. Web. November 22, 2010. In addition to his contributions to heating and ventilation industry, Willard was an educator in heating and ventilation and mechanical engineering between 1906 and 1933. He taught at

George Washington University The George Washington University (GW or GWU) is a Private university, private University charter#Federal, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. Chartered in 1821 by the United States Congress, GWU is the largest Higher educat ...

and the University of Illinois. Willard was appointed president in 1934 and served until 1946.Was President for 12 years 1934 to 1946. (September 12, 1960). '' Urbana Courier''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Although he served as president during a difficult time for the university and the nation, he continued to have the highest expectations of his students. During his time as president he obtained funding for construction and addition of many buildings on the University of Illinois campuses. Willard strongly believed education needed to be more broad and focus on the social and economic problems facing the nation. At the end of service to the university, the Institute of Aviation was established at

University of Illinois Willard Airport University of Illinois Willard Airport is south of Savoy in Tolono Township, Champaign County, Illinois, United States. It is owned and operated by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is named for former University of Illinois presid ...

, and it was named in honor of A.C. Willard."FLYCMI.COM :: University of Illinois Willard Airport"
, "

", 2010. Retrieved November 8 2010.

Early life and career

Arthur Cutts Willard was born on August 12, 1878, in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, the only child of Alexander and Sarah Cutts Willard, both natives of Maine. Willard graduated from Central High School in Washington D.C in 1897. He then spent two years at the National College of Pharmacy at

. He graduated from

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...

in 1904 with a bachelor of science degree in

chemical engineering Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials int ...

.Dean Willard Made U of I President. (March 14, 1934). ''Daily News'' Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Willard had many career changes after graduating from MIT. He returned to George Washington University in 1906 to become an assistant professor of

mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, an ...

. In 1909 he became assistant sanitary and heating engineer in Army Quartermaster Corp and two years later he became full engineer. In 1913, he left Kentucky to come to the University of Illinois to serve as an assistant professor in heating and ventilation. In 1917 he was named full professor in the mechanical engineering department.Ventilator's Award Goes to Willard (January 19, 1936). ''

The Daily Illini ''The Daily Illini'', commonly known as the ''DI'', is a student-run newspaper that has been published for the community of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since 1871. Weekday circulation during fall and spring semesters is 7,000; co ...

''. Pg. 1. Record Series 39/4/1 University of Illinois Archives The majority of his work at the University of Illinois was related to ventilation and refrigeration. During this year he also served as an engineer consultant for the army encampments and for the bureau of mines.New University Leader. (March 15, 1934). ''Daily News'' Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives In 1920 he became the head of the mechanical engineering department. Willard also served as a consultant on ventilation to chemical war service and adviser to national public health. He authored several books such as Heating and Ventilation as well as, Power Plans and Refrigeration.The New President Elect(March 14, 1934). ''Urbana Courier'' Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Willard is most famous for his work with the

. One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the ventilation system; it was crucial that a method for removing dangerous fumes from the tunnel was developed. His ventilation studies made construction of the tunnel possible. The Holland Tunnel was the first mechanically ventilated underwater vehicular tunnel. An illustration of the model of the tunnel can be found at http://www.library.illinois.edu/archives/archon/index.php?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=6107.The Holland Tunnel system was eventually used elsewhere in the United States and around the world.Was President for 12 years 1934 to 1946. (September 12, 1960). ''Urbana Courier''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives In the fall of 1933, he began serving as dean of the College of Engineering after the position was made vacant by Professor Milo S. Ketchum.

Presidency

Willard began serving as university president on July 1, 1934. He dispensed the traditional services due to his dislike for public acknowledgment."President Arthur Cutts Willard, History, University of Illinois"
,

, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2010. In acknowledgment of being bestowed with the honor of president of the University of Illinois he made the following statement: "The Presidency of the University of Illinois is a great honor, but a much greater responsibility: The University of Illinois was founded to serve the people and the industries of the state and the record of its accomplishments is written largely in the lives of its alumni. The opportunity and the need for worthwhile service to the state is probably greater than ever before in the history of the University. This opportunity will be met with all the resources at the disposal of the faculty and scientific staff of the University both in Urbana–Champaign and in Chicago." When Willard accepted the presidency, he was prepared to make changes to the current way students were educated. "We are going to have a new order of things in this country. Somebody may know what it will be—I don't. But I know this much—the universities are going to have to do a better job of turning out men and women who can take care of themselves. The average college graduate ... has been prepared for everything but life.""Education: Engineer at Illinois"
''

Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and events that occurs in an apparently irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequence events, ...

'', 26 Mar. 1934. Retrieved November 5, 2010. Willard received the presidency during a difficult time in history; the nation was facing

the Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

. Financial resources were limited and task of rebuilding confidence in the future was Willard's most important task. One of Willard's objective of the university was to enlarge the faculty and develop a program for guidance for high school graduates expecting to attend the university.Governor and Wieland Here for Inspection.(January 20, 1935). ''

The News-Gazette ''The News-Gazette'' may refer to: * ''The News-Gazette'' (Champaign–Urbana), a daily newspaper serving the Champaign–Urbana Metropolitan Area and Danville, Illinois * ''The News-Gazette'' (Winchester, Indiana), a daily newspaper based in W ...

''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Willard spoke on major issues facing the campus. He believed education needed to include courses that focused on the social sciences and humanities. Currently the collegiate education system offers students four years of a technical training, while neglecting a liberal education background. A liberal education background offers students an understanding of modern society and produces a more well-rounded intelligent student. Willard felt that the first two years should be devoted to general courses in the sciences, arts, literature and basic subject matter important to technical training in the final two years of study.(November 1, 1938). ''The Daily Illini''. Pg. 1,5 Record Series 39/4/1. University of Illinois Archives Although Willard's academic background was in engineering, he had criticisms of engineering education; "engineers should develop a far better knowledge of the social and economic problems of modern society than he has so far acquired either by his education or experience.".Willard Asserts Engineers Should Broaden Horizon. (January 27, 1937). ''The Daily Illini'' Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Willard also argued that scientists focused on technology, therefore the social and economic problems of society have not been recognized. Willard was concerned about some of the activities fraternities engaged in. He believe that "hell week" in fraternities needed to be abolished. He felt as though fraternities should be cultural centers, that focus on extra-curricular activities; not tormenting or harassing those seeking acceptance into the fraternity.Willard Places Administration's Seal of Disapproval on Custom of "Hell Week" in Fraternities. (January 12, 1935). ''The Daily Illini''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Willard also communicated his opinion of issues that indirectly affected the campus. In 1935, he felt that a major problem for the US was motor traffic. The number of vehicle fatalities was very large and he felt as though the problem should be dealt with through education.Willard Gives Views on Public Safety Question (February 22, 1935). ''The News-Gazette'' Record Series 39/1/4 University of Illinois Archives Willard's dedication to this issue was evident in his membership to the newly created Illinois Highway Safety Commission; the purpose of the committee was to find a solution to deaths caused by reckless driving. The committee also sought to study accident problem and correlate efforts between state and local authorities.Willard on New Commission to Promote Safety. (September 19, 1937). ''The Daily Illini''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives Willard's most memorable achievements were the funding and development of campus buildings. Willard felt the student center was inadequate; therefore he worked obtain funding for a new student center. University of Illinois Foundation was established to assist in obtaining funding for the new student center. After two years of construction the Illini Union was formally dedicated on November 1, 1941."Illini Union: UIHistories Project Virtual Tour at the University of Illinois"
Leetaru, Kalev. University of Illinois: Virtual Campus Tour. University of Illinois. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. The Abbott Power Plant was also established during Willard's reign as president; the power plant enabled expansion of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign campus. McKinley Hospital was also constructed during Willard's presidency. Due to budget constraints Willard had to make decisions on which projects were most important. Willard concluded that an addition to the library and more classroom space was more pressing than a male dormitory.Willard says Solution for Housing Problem is Emergency Program. (1936, November 13). ''The Daily Illini''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives

Family and personal life

Willard married Sarah Lamborn on November 26, 1907. She was a graduate of Washington D.C. public schools and of the Normal school (university) in Washington D.C.Betty Stuart Smith. Wife of President? Why Not? Mrs. Willard Comes From City of Presidents--Washington. (March 14, 1934). ''The Daily Illini''. Record Series 39/1/4. University of Illinois Archives While they had no children, they treated their nieces and faculty's children with as much care as if they were their own. After thirty three years at the University of Illinois, Willard retired on September 1, 1946. On September 11, 1960, he died at McKinley Hospital at the age of 82.

Honors and awards

On October 26, 1945, the

was named in his honor. Willard was accepted into many academic societies, fraternities and organizations Member of the following organizations * American Society of Mechanical Engineers *

American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE ) is an American professional association seeking to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems design and constructio ...

* Society for Promotion of Engineering Education * American Society of Refrigerating Engineers * National Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning association * Illinois Society of Engineers Member of the following fraternities *

Sigma Xi Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society () is a highly prestigious, non-profit honor society for scientists and engineers. Sigma Xi was founded at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a small group of graduate students in 1886 ...

Phi Kappa Phi The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (or simply Phi Kappa Phi or ) is an honor society established in 1897 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship without restriction as to area of study, and to promote the "unity and democracy of education ...

* Tau Beta Pi *

Triangle A triangle is a polygon with three edges and three vertices. It is one of the basic shapes in geometry. A triangle with vertices ''A'', ''B'', and ''C'' is denoted \triangle ABC. In Euclidean geometry, any three points, when non- colline ...

Sigma Tau Sigma Tau () was an American honor society in the field of engineering. History Sigma Tau was founded at the University of Nebraska on } by fourteen faculty members and students in the College of Engineering. Sigma Tau merged with Tau Beta Pi ...

* Pi Tau Sigma * Omega Chi Epsilon *

Phi Eta Sigma Phi Eta Sigma () is an American freshman honor society. Founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, it is the oldest and largest freshman honor society and has chartered three hundred and eighty-six chapters throughout the United Stat ...

Phi Kappa Sigma Phi Kappa Sigma () is an international all-male college secret society and social fraternity. While nicknames differ from institution to institution, the most common nicknames for the fraternity are Skulls, Skullhouse, Phi Kap, and PKS (the fi ...

Member of the following clubs * Chicago Engineers Club * University Club of Chicago * University Club of Urbana * Chaos Club of Chicago * Urbana Rotary Club * Champaign–Urbana Kiwanis Club On January 26, 1936, Willard received the F. Paul Anderson Gold Medal from the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers for his work with the Holland Tunnel, research, commitment to teaching and service to the society.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Willard, Arthur Cutts 1878 births 1960 deaths George Washington University alumni George Washington University faculty Leaders of the University of Illinois MIT School of Engineering alumni