J. Wayne Reitz
J. Wayne Reitz | |
---|---|
5th President of the University of Florida | |
In office 1955–1967 | |
Preceded by | John S. Allen (acting) |
Succeeded by | Stephen C. O'Connell |
Personal details | |
Born | University President | December 31, 1908
Julius Wayne Reitz (December 31, 1908 – December 24, 1993) was an American
Early life and education
Wayne Reitz was born on New Year's Eve, 1908, in
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, Reitz started work as an
Reitz left academic life in 1944 to work as an economic consultant for the United Growers and Shippers Association. Four years later, he became Chief of the
University president
Selection as president
University of Florida president
Growth and expansion
During Reitz's term, more than 300 new campus buildings were erected at an approximate cost of $50 million. The buildings constructed and expanded during his term included a new health center, a nuclear training
In 1960, Reitz was initiated as an honorary member of the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi.[4]
Controversy, the Johns Committee, and integration
The Reitz years were not without controversy. Strict behavior guidelines, dress codes, and a faculty disciplinary committee to enforce these rules all received Reitz's strong endorsement. In the early 1960s, the
Reitz has been criticized for not opposing or even welcoming Johns' investigation; Johns was a friend who at one point parked his car in Reitz's driveway, with Reitz's permission.[6] "Reitz happily allowed Johns on campus."[5]: 20 This differs from the reactions of the Florida State University and University of South Florida's presidents.[6]
The campus did not witness significant integration-era disruption. The University of Florida was the first state university to
Reitz, however, had more trouble with state governors. He opposed
Post-presidency
After resigning as university president, Reitz served as the director of graduate programs in the U.S. Office of Education, and eventually returned to his international activities. In addition to his
Reitz was said to have led one of the largest expansions of the campus physical plant and the new
See also
- Florida Gators
- History of Florida
- History of the University of Florida
- Land-grant university
- List of Colorado State University alumni
- List of Sigma Chi members
- List of University of Florida faculty and administrators
- List of University of Florida honorary degree recipients
- List of University of Florida presidents
- List of University of Illinois alumni
- List of University of Wisconsin alumni
- State University System of Florida
References
- ^ University of Florida, Past Presidents, J. Wayne Reitz (1955–1967) Archived 2014-02-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
- ^ University of Florida, J. Wayne Reitz Union, J. Wayne Reitz Union History Archived 2008-06-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 28, 2009.
- ^ a b Associated Press, "Control Board Will Not Meet Until January," Ocala Star-Banner, p. 3 (December 23, 1954). Retrieved March 9, 2010.
- ^ Alpha Phi Chapter Member Roll
- ^ a b Lilly, Christiana (March 6, 2019). "The Johns Committee". South Florida Gay News. pp. 18–20.
- ^ ISBN 9780813049045.
- ^ University of Florida Foundation, UF Named Facilities, J. Wayne Reitz Union. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
- ^ University of Florida, Student Affairs, Reitz Scholars Program. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
Further reading
- Proctor, Samuel, & Wright Langley, Gator History: A Pictorial History of the University of Florida, South Star Publishing Company, Gainesville, Florida (1986). ISBN 0-938637-00-2.
- Van Ness, Carl, & Kevin McCarthy, Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future: The University of Florida, 1853–2003, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (2003).
- Pleasants, Julian M., Gator Tales: An Oral History of the University of Florida, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (2006). ISBN 0-8130-3054-4.
- Anderson, Jennifer Paul; O'Brien, Thomas V. (2016). "Pork choppers, presidents, and perverts: the response of two university presidents to attacks on the privacy and academic freedom of professors by the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee, 1956 to 1965". American Educational History Journal. 43 (1). Also available here: 75–92. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
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External links
- John V. Lombardi on J. Wayne Reitz.
- Photos of J. Wayne Reitz and J. Wayne Reitz Union from the University of Florida Digital Collections.
- University of Florida – Official website of the University of Florida.