William W. Hagerty
Encyclopedia
William Walsh Hagerty was a teacher, former NASA Adviser, and president of Drexel University
.
. Hagerty went on to receive his M.S. in 1943 and his Ph.D. in 1947 from the University of Michigan
. After receiving his first degree Hagerty worked as an engineer until 1940.
, the University of Cincinnati
, the University of Michigan
, the University of Delaware
, and the University of Texas. While at the University of Delaware he served as dean at the University's School of Engineering from 1955 to 1958 and went on to serve as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas from 1958 until 1963.
in 1963. While president Hagerty was responsible for expanding the campus, adding new colleges and programs to the curriculum, and doubling the facilities. He created the College of Science, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and oversaw the construction of new buildings for the College of Business Administration, College of Science, Nesbitt College of Design, Nutrition, Human Behavior, and Home Economics (formerly the College of Home Economics).
He was also responsible for doubling enrollment to over 12,500 students, granting more degrees than all of the previous presidents combined, and increasing the budget from $8 million to $80 million dollars. In 1970 Hagerty was responsible for guiding the school through its transition to University status. In October 1983 the new library was named W. W. Hagerty after him.
During his tenure at Drexel Hagerty was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Communications Satellite Corporation
in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson
. From 1964 to 1970 Hagerty was an advisor to NASA
and served as a board member to the National Science Foundation
. He was a member of the Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, the Philadelphia Commission on Higher Education and was the Director of the Commission of Engineering Education. He was the recipient of the Bliss Medal, awarded by the Society of American Military Engineers
in 1967 and named Engineer of the Year in 1970 by the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers.
After his resignation on August 31, 1984, Hagerty moved to Skidaway Island
, Georgia
. He died of cancer two years later in Savannah
on January 14, 1986.
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
.
Early life
Born to William Walsh Hagerty and Alice Amanda (née Lindberg) Hagerty in 1916 Hagerty was raised in Minnesota. In 1939 Hagerty received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. Hagerty went on to receive his M.S. in 1943 and his Ph.D. in 1947 from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. After receiving his first degree Hagerty worked as an engineer until 1940.
Teaching
From 1940 to 1963 Hagerty taught at Villanova UniversityVillanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, the University of Michigan
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
, the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
, and the University of Texas. While at the University of Delaware he served as dean at the University's School of Engineering from 1955 to 1958 and went on to serve as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas from 1958 until 1963.
Drexel University
Hagerty was appointed as president of the Drexel Institute of TechnologyDrexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
in 1963. While president Hagerty was responsible for expanding the campus, adding new colleges and programs to the curriculum, and doubling the facilities. He created the College of Science, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and oversaw the construction of new buildings for the College of Business Administration, College of Science, Nesbitt College of Design, Nutrition, Human Behavior, and Home Economics (formerly the College of Home Economics).
He was also responsible for doubling enrollment to over 12,500 students, granting more degrees than all of the previous presidents combined, and increasing the budget from $8 million to $80 million dollars. In 1970 Hagerty was responsible for guiding the school through its transition to University status. In October 1983 the new library was named W. W. Hagerty after him.
During his tenure at Drexel Hagerty was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Communications Satellite Corporation
COMSAT
The Communications Satellite Corporation is a global telecommunications company, based in the USA, and with branches in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and several other countries in the Americas. It is present also in Turkey...
in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
. From 1964 to 1970 Hagerty was an advisor to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and served as a board member to the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
. He was a member of the Philadelphia chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, the Philadelphia Commission on Higher Education and was the Director of the Commission of Engineering Education. He was the recipient of the Bliss Medal, awarded by the Society of American Military Engineers
Society of American Military Engineers
The Society of American Military Engineers is an organization for military engineering professionals. According to its , SAME was formed “in the interest of National Defense… bringing together all phases of U.S...
in 1967 and named Engineer of the Year in 1970 by the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers.
After his resignation on August 31, 1984, Hagerty moved to Skidaway Island
Skidaway Island, Georgia
Skidaway Island is a census-designated place in Chatham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 8,341 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is one of the most affluent communities in the state...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. He died of cancer two years later in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
on January 14, 1986.