William Waddell Boyd was born March 8, 1862, in Allegany, Pennsylvania.
Boyd was President of the Western College for Women from 1914 to 1931.
Prior to his appointment in 1914, Dr. Boyd was Dean of the College
of
Education at Ohio State University. Prior to becoming Dean at
OSU, he was
a school superintendent in both Marietta and Painesville, Ohio. He
also had
been high school inspector for the state of Ohio. He was author of
the book
"Civil Government and Civil Institutions of Ohio." Dr. Boyd received
his
A.B. in 1884 ; A.M. ,1887; Ped.D., 1911; all from Marietta College.
He was
a dynamic president for 16 years.
Dr. Boyd began tours of Europe for the students. The tours continued
through the 1920's until the Depression. The enrollment steadily increased
each year. A new dorm was opened. The beautiful Kumler Chapel was built.
Both the Ernst Nature Theater (used for outdoor performances), and
the
Lodge (used by the students and faculty for get-togethers; it still
is
today) were gifts.. A gift of land with a large home
on it near the
Western campus became "Patterson Place," the official President's home.
Dr.
Boyd was the first president to occupy Patterson Place.
The growing interest in music helped to raise money to build Presser
Hall; it was opened the final year of President Boyd's term,
1931.
Dr. Boyd died in Columbus, Ohio, on February 2, 1944.
[The Western College Memorial Archives, Diane Kaufman]
Boyd Case BCase30@aol.com