William Weir (1924-1925)

William Weir (1924-1925)

Description

William Clarence Weir became the seventh president of Rollins College on August 1, 1924. His appointment followed an extensive search by a special committee of the Board of Trustees. At the time of his selection, Weir was president of Pacific University in Oregon, an institution he had led since 1922. He resigned from that post to begin his presidency at Rollins during a period of transition and financial uncertainty.

Born in Indiana on August 1, 1874, Weir earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Borden College in 1895 and 1896, respectively. He pursued additional studies at Louisville University and was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from Fairmont College in Kansas in 1923. In 1896, he married Nettie L. Biery of Scottsburg, Indiana.

Weir began his education career as a teacher and principal in Indiana and Washington. During World War I, he joined the Training Camps Activities Commission, contributing to the welfare and morale of soldiers in Western camps. After the war, he became a community organizer and extension lecturer for the State Normal School in Bellingham, Washington, eventually heading to the Department of Public Health and Hygiene. His focus on educational outreach and teacher development throughout the state earned him a strong reputation as a leader in public service and academic administration.

As president of Pacific University, Weir significantly increased the institution’s financial resources and visibility, raising over $200,000 and securing major gifts, including a $110,000 endowment for a Chair of American History and Patriotism. He also led efforts to secure national accreditation, placing the college among those recognized by the New York Regents and the U.S. Commissioner of Education.

At Rollins, Weir was known for his ecumenical leadership and his ability to bridge denominational divides. His presidency marked renewed efforts to unite support from both Presbyterian and Congregational bodies under the Rollins Union Plan. Religious leaders praised his inclusive and conciliatory style, with one describing him as a "fine Christian gentleman" capable of harmonizing diverse viewpoints.

Weir’s priorities for Rollins included increasing the college’s endowment to at least $1 million, ensuring operations remained on a cash basis, and constructing new campus facilities. Though his presidency was brief—lasting only one year—he played a critical role in setting the stage for institutional stability and broader church support in a pivotal era of the college’s history. On November 29, 1942, William Weir passed away in Orlando, Florida.

First Year of Presidency

1924

William Weir (1924-1925)
COinS