Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1938 [PAGE 831]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

829

ment of Economics beginning September 1, 1938, and a report was made of steps taken to fill this vacancy. The Board requested that further consideration be given this matter. A special committee of the faculty has made a study of the situation, including a canvass of the eminent economists who might be considered for the position and has submitted a report which is being presented herewith. T h e committee recommends that this position be filled by an appointment within the department and that Professor Merlin H . H u n t e r be appointed Head of the Department on indefinite tenure beginning September 1, 1938. I concur in this recommendation. If it is approved, this will involve certain salary adjustments in the Department. I recommend that Professor Hunter's salary be $6,000 a year beginning September I, 1938, and that the President of the University be authorized to make such other adjustments as the equities of the situation require.

On motion of Mr. Cleary, this appointment was made as recommended, and the salary adjustments in the department were authorized.

DEAN OF T H E COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE (4) Dean Herbert Windsor Mumford of the College of Agriculture and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service in Agriculture and H o m e Economics died on May 31. H e was completing 37 years of distinguished service on the faculty of the University of Illinois and would have retired September I, 1939. It is necessary that careful consideration be given to the filling of this important three-fold position, and this may take several months. W e anticipated doing this during the last year of Dean Mumford's active service, but his death makes it necessary to make either a temporary or a permanent appointment immediately. Under the circumstances I recommend that Professor Joseph Cullen Blair, Head of the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Chief in Horticulture in the Experiment Station, be appointed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and of the Extension Service in Agriculture and H o m e Economics, beginning June 1, 1938, and continuing until August 31, 1939, at a salary of $8,250 a year. Professor Blair will reach the retiring age next year. H e came to the University as Instructor in Horticulture in 1896 and thus is completing 42 years of service. Since 1902 he has been Professor and Chief Horticulturist in the Station. At various times he has acted for Dean Mumford in the latter's absence and thus has had experience with the administration of the College and Station, It seems to me eminently appropriate that the Board recognize Professor Blair's long period of distinguished service by permitting him to complete his career of active service as Dean and Director.

On motion of Dr. Meyer, this appointment was made as recommended. On motion of Mrs. Plumb, the following resolution was adopted.

Whereas, Herbert Windsor Mumford served the University of Illinois for nearly thirty-seven years with such unusual success and distinction as a teacher, a scientist, and an administrator, that he was regarded as of the highest rank in all these activities not only in the State of Illinois but nationally and internationally; and Whereas, the Board of Trustees feels that in his death the University of Illinois in particular and agricultural education, research, and administration, and society in general, have suffered a great loss; Therefore, be it resolued, by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, that record be made, in the minutes of the Board, of its sense of loss and regret, and that the Secretary of the Board be directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to Dean Mumford's family.