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Jerome, BGSU's sixth president, dies at 88
By: BG News Staff
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Campus
Former University President William T. Jerome III, who led the campus during the tension of the Vietnam War and Kent State shootings, died Monday. He was 88.
Jerome, the University's sixth president, served from 1963 to 1970. The number of students and faculty both doubled during his tenure, to 14,000 and 720 respectively. Nine master's degree programs, four doctoral programs, 11 new buildings, including the library that would eventually bear his name and the University's Firelands branch were also added during his presidency.
"It was a growing period, he hired more faculty members," recalled Wallace Pretzer, an English professor who joined the faculty in 1963, along with his wife.
He left the University open in the days following the Kent State shootings in May 1970. BGSU was the only state university in Ohio to do so.
But he also supported the campus protests happening at the time, such as candlelight marches.
"To those student leaders who came forth ... to make this march such a memorable and significant occasion, I wish to express my personal gratitude and appreciation," he said in a statement in May 1970.
Jerome was born in Yonkers, NY. He attended Yale University Law School before leaving to serve in the army during World War II.
He worked at Syracuse University before joining the University. In 1970 he left to be the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida International University.
Jerome, the University's sixth president, served from 1963 to 1970. The number of students and faculty both doubled during his tenure, to 14,000 and 720 respectively. Nine master's degree programs, four doctoral programs, 11 new buildings, including the library that would eventually bear his name and the University's Firelands branch were also added during his presidency.
"It was a growing period, he hired more faculty members," recalled Wallace Pretzer, an English professor who joined the faculty in 1963, along with his wife.
He left the University open in the days following the Kent State shootings in May 1970. BGSU was the only state university in Ohio to do so.
But he also supported the campus protests happening at the time, such as candlelight marches.
"To those student leaders who came forth ... to make this march such a memorable and significant occasion, I wish to express my personal gratitude and appreciation," he said in a statement in May 1970.
Jerome was born in Yonkers, NY. He attended Yale University Law School before leaving to serve in the army during World War II.
He worked at Syracuse University before joining the University. In 1970 he left to be the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Florida International University.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Dr. Spirek
posted 3/12/08 @ 1:37 PM EST
A nice collaborative piece.
errol lam
posted 3/12/08 @ 3:52 PM EST
R.I.P Dr. Jerome,
condolences to your family and friends,
Cindy
posted 3/13/08 @ 11:22 AM EST
Dr. Jerome was truly a great man! I remember him fondly from my days at BGSU. He really worked for and with the students!!
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