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]
