HIGDON, William T. "Bill"
HIGDON, MCFARLANE
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/1/2016 at 11:53:17
William T. "Bill" Higdon
William T. Higdon was born on January 4, 1930, in Independence, Missouri, the son of Earl Higdon. Bill graduated from Graceland in 1949 and remained the following year as assistant to the dean of students and the director of religious life. Higdon continued his education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, completing his B.S. in agriculture (1952_, M.S. in soil chemistry (1953), and Ph.D. in soil chemistry (1957). Before returning to Graceland, Higdon worked eight years as a research chemist for Shell Development Company, filling several patents. He joined Graceland's chemistry faculty in the fall of 1963, the same year as his wife, Barbara [Joan McFarlane Higdon], was hired as a language and literature professor at the college.
In 1964, Higdon served on the committee that worked on the preliminary sutdies toward expanding Graceland into Independence, Missouri. However, Higdon only actively taught at Graceland for two years.
In May 1965, the Boad of Trustees asked the chemistry professor and chairman of the Division of Science and Mathematics to become the college's president, and Higdon prepared for the role by enrolling for one year at the Center for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Michigan.
Higdon became Graceland's president on July 1, 1966, and was inaugurated on Saturday, October 15, 1966.
During his first tenure as president, Higdon oversaw the development of Graceland's nursing campus in Independence, Missouri, and introduced the "Bear Pit" sessions with open public diaglogue with students. As part of his educational philosophy, President Higdon moved to include student representatives on major committees that dealt with the direction of the college. Under his direction, Graceland expanded with new majors: German, music, economics, social welfare, business education and nursing. Also in 1966, the Upward Bound program was initiated, providing a stimulating experience for high school students that encouraged them to seek a higher education.
Higdon was ordained an apostle at the 1974 RLDS World Conference and left the college presidency on June 30, 1974.
As an RLDS apostle, Higdon bcame an expert in Third World development and conducted a feasibility study that led to the founding of the American University in Bulgaria in 1991. He temporarily served as acting vice president for academic affairs there before resuming the presidency of Graceland on January 1, 1992 (making him probably the only person who will ever succeed both his wife and his father as Graceland's president.)
Higdon's achievements during his second span at the president's desk included partnerships with area junior and community colleges, the introduction of Graceland's first master's degree program (in nursing), the purchase of SkillPath Seminars, completion of a $22.6 million fund-raising campaign, and steady enrollment increases.
After announcing his plans to retire as president following the 1997 spring semester, the Board of Trustees voted to rename Graceland's first structure the "Higdon Administration Building" in honor of the three Higdons who led the college.
SOURCES: Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” Pp. 415-16. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.
Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Venture Foundation. Pp. 129-31. Lamoni, IA. 1972.
Transcription & compilation by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016
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