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William V. Muse
(1984-1992)
Dr. William Van Muse was born in Quitman County, Mississippi on April 7, 1939, the seventh son of a Pentecostal preacher. He was educated in local schools in rural Mississippi and Louisiana and spent much of his childhood between moves attending church services, playing sports, fishing, and reading books. He received a B.S. in accounting from Northwestern State University in 1960. After working as an accountant with Interstate Oil Pipeline Company he attended the University of Arkansas, earning an M.B.A. in 1961 and a Ph.D. in Business Administration in 1963. One year later, he joined the faculty of the School of Industrial Management at Georgia Tech. In 1965, he moved to Ohio University where he served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing and Director of the Division of Research.
In 1970, Muse was selected as the first Dean of the College of Business at Appalachian State University before becoming Dean of the business schools at the University of Nebraska and Texas A&M University before being named Vice-Chancellor. He then served as the 12th President of The University of Akron, from 1984 to 1992. During his tenure at UA, Muse provided leadership for significant gains in the enhancement of academic programs, growth in minority enrollment, expansion of private fund raising, and increased recognition for the University. His major accomplishments were improving the University’s health and physical education facilities and linking the University with the city through the Span-The-Tracks Program.
From 1992 to 2001, Muse served as President of Auburn University and then as Chancellor of East Carolina University, from 2001 to 2003. In 2007, he worked with Michigan State University on a Kettering Foundation fellowship. Muse has served as the International President of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Chairman of the Akron Regional Development Board, Director of National City Bank in Akron, President of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Director of Southtrust Bank, the Alabama Power Company, and the American Cast Iron Pipe Company. Since 2008, he has served as President of the National Issues Forums Institute and currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the United Way Foundation of Greater Cincinnati where he lives today.
“Bricks, mortar, and grass are impressive, but people compose the heart and soul of the University”
– William V. Muse
From The University of Akron Photographs Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
One of President Muse’s ambitions was to provide the student body with modern health and physical education facilities. During his tenure, the University completed a $20 million athletics complex, including $2.4 million in renovations to Memorial Hall, the construction of the $12 million James A. Rhodes Health and Physical Education Building, and the building of the $6.5 million Ocasek Natatorium.
From The University of Akron Office of Athletics Records in Archival Services of University Libraries
One of President Muse’s objectives was to increase the University’s visibility and support through participation in major intercollegiate athletics. To build a strong athletic program he brought in over $1 million in athletic scholarships and in 1986 hired former Notre Dame Head Football Coach Jerry Faust. Also, the football program was elevated to Division I-A status and the basketball team attained membership in the Mid-American Conference.
From The University of Akron Photographs Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
One of President Muse’s many achievements was persuading Akron city officials to close Buchtel Avenue, in 1987. This created a safer environment on campus and made way for the Buchtel Mall project, which terminated at a newly designed Buchtel Common where a statue of founder John R. Buchtel was erected. This $1.2 million project, completed in 1990, created a 160,000 square foot park-like pedestrian brick walkway through the heart of campus.
From The University of Akron Office of Marketing and Communications Records in Archival Services of University Libraries
Soon after Muse assumed the presidency, the city and University achieved a decade’s long dream of uniting the campus with downtown. In 1987, the University acquired the five-story, 400,000 square foot former Polsky’s Department Store along with its large parking deck solidifying the University’s presence in downtown Akron.
From The University of Akron Publications Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
One of President Muse’s many successes was the increase in private donations. His principal fundraising effort was called “The University of Akron Campaign” with the theme “Heritage and Vision.” Unveiled in 1990, the comprehensive capital campaign reached its goal of $52 million in private support in two years. The funds were used to strengthen the quality and broaden the scope of academic, research, and co-curricular programs. The campaign was the institution’s most ambitious to date and was called “one of the most important events in the 120-year history of the University.”
From The University of Akron Photographs Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
In 1988, President Muse achieved one of his greatest accomplishments when he created the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, the first of its kind in the world. Muse was also instrumental in building the $17.5 million, 12-story, 146,000-square-foot Goodyear Polymer Center to house the new College, which opened in 1991.
From The University of Akron Photographs Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
President Muse partnered with Akron Mayor Tom Sawyer to spearhead a University/City Task Force with the focus being the Span-the-Tracks Program designed to link the campus with downtown Akron. As part of this endeavor, Muse was instrumental in acquiring the former Greyhound Bus Terminal in downtown Akron and constructing on this site the new $11.6 million College of Business Administration Building, which opened in 1991.
From The University of Akron Faculty Publications Collection in Archival Services of University Libraries
Muse is the author of three books and numerous articles on higher education, management, and marketing. In 2008, he published his memoirs under the title “The Seventh Muse” with iUniverse Books. In the autobiography, he recollects his upbringing, education, and rise to become the top administrator of a major public university.
“William is one of the most conscientious, caring and intelligent individuals I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. There are few individuals who can walk in his foot steps.”
– Jim Williams