photo provided
Willard Collins, front with his successors, Dr. Harold Hazelip, Dr. Steve Flatt, and Dr. Randy Lowry at Lowry's inauguration as president in March 2006.
Former Lipscomb president Willard Collins, who played a vital role in the life and history of the university for more than 70 years, died Tuesday. Collins was 92.
“I have a tremendous respect for Willard Collins. He became president
at a very important time in Lipscomb’s history. His legacy will be
partially his steadfast love of and ministry to the church as well as
his sense of connection with students. He stepped into the role of
president with his unique personality and put his stamp on the
university and on the church forever,” said President L. Randolph
Lowry.
“His last appearance on campus was this fall at convocation where he
connected with a new generation of students with his sense of humor and
his engaging personality.”
During his presidency, Collins was affectionately called the “Students’
President.” His outgoing personality, sense of humor and presence in
chapel endeared him to students, faculty and staff and alumni.
A native of Lewisburg, Tenn., Collins arrived as a freshman at Lipscomb
in 1934. He was a good student and very involved in campus life,
winning the Founders’ Day Oratorical Contest, serving as business
manager for the student newspaper and being elected Bachelor of
Ugliness. He was also elected president of the Student Board in 1935
and as such was involved in a fundraising campaign for the university.
In 1936 after graduating from Lipscomb, at that time a two-year
college, Collins completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at
Vanderbilt University.
Collins returned to Lipscomb in 1944 as assistant director of the
Lipscomb Expansion Program, which was designed to prepare for an influx
of students after the end of World War II.
In 1946, President Athens Clay Pullias named Collins vice president, a position he held for 31 years.
In 1977 after Pullias’ resignation Collins was unanimously appointed by
the board of directors as president and was instrumental in building a
strong foundation for the university that positioned it for greatness
in the future. His leadership took the university from a time of
financial crisis to a time of financial stability. Lipscomb found
itself with a $3.2 million short term debt in a period of high interest
rates and a faculty and staff who had sacrificed financially to work
for the institution. He said of his first few months in office, “At
first, I had a few doubts. The fall quarter of 1977 was the hardest
I’ve put over. I didn’t know how people would respond … (to) the
announcement of new plans. I just did not know whether or not we could
get the response we had to have. We just had to have it, to raise
salaries, build some endowment and pay off the debt to keep the school
going.”
In 1986, Collins retired from the presidency. He served as chancellor
following his retirement and in 1989 was named president emeritus, a
title he held until his death.
Collins is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; daughter, Corinne
Collins Slayton; and grandson, Bryan Collins Demonbreun. He is survived
by daughter, Carole (Bobby) Demonbreun; son-in-law Ed Slayton;
grandsons, Mark Slayton and Michael Slayton and granddaughter, Tasha
Demonbreun Jenkins; and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Dec. 15 at the Granny White church, Nashville.