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.