'That is All': Lipscomb mourns the loss of Willard Collins
Kim Chaudoin |
Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. in Lipscomb University's Ezell Center, located on the Belmont Boulevard side of campus. The funeral will be Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at Granny White Church of Christ, located at 3805 Granny White Pike, Nashville, with visitation at the church from noon until the time of the service.
| Former President Willard Collins stands in front of the A.M. Burton Building |
| President Willard Collins stands with his successors before the inauguration of President Randy Lowry |
| Climbing out from under a major short-term indebtedness was a cause for celebration in February 1982. Board Chairman Thomas J. McMeen "burns the note" of indebtedness to First American Bank, as Carl McKelvey, Willard Collins and Steve Flatt look on. |
| Willard Collins, front with his successors, Dr. Harold Hazelip, Dr. Steve Flatt, and Dr. Randy Lowry |
“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.
“In its 117-year history, no other individual associated with Lipscomb was as recognized and beloved as Willard Collins. Serving as vice president for over three decades, Willard Collins was the students' link to the administration. His booming voice, optimistic spirit, and naive humor made Lipscomb's chapel program the focal point of each day,” said Steve Flatt, president of Lipscomb from 1997-2005.
“I’ve never known anyone like him,” said Harold Hazelip, Lipscomb president from 1986-1997. “His humor, his interest in other people’s lives and his memory of the details of people’s lives and their families was just incredible.”
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. The goals of the program were to expand the facilities on campus, move the institution to senior college status and strengthen the school financially. In 1946, President Athens Clay Pullias named Collins vice president, a position he held for 31 years. During this time, the university expanded dramatically with the addition of numerous buildings including Crisman Memorial Library, A.M. Burton Administration Building, Alumni Auditorium, McQuiddy Gymasium and Johnson Hall.
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.”
“He stepped in at a time when Lipscomb needed a bridge builder. He did so many things for Lipscomb at a critical time in its history,” said Carl McKelvey, vice president of campus affairs in the Collins’ administration.
“In 1977, God raised up Willard Collins for leadership at a crucial time in Lipscomb's history. He rallied each constituency - students, alumni, churches, donors, friends, and the Nashville community - to grow enrollment, enhance facilities, multiply the endowment, and solidify the school's future,” said Flatt.
In January 1978, Collins announced the “Three Decisive Years” campaign, which ended in December 1980, with the college’s primary needs as the campaign goals — raising $7 million in gifts, increasing faculty salaries by $900,000 and paying off at least part of the debt. Other goals included building a new high school gym and renovating existing buildings.
The components of the campaign were “The Year of Renewal,” “The Year of Appreciation” and the “Extra Million Dollar Year.” His goals were met and the “Golden Decade” campaign followed next and continued one of Collins’ main goals — to get more and more people involved with Lipscomb. “I’ve always felt that if you put the need up, people will get involved and will give,” Collins said.
As president, Collins addressed four key issues —strengthening the institution’s Christian mission, involving others in fundraising efforts and developing an institutional planning office, reorganizing the structure of the administration into a team of vice presidents to whom Collins delegated responsibilities.
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.
“He was one of the greatest influences in my life. I can never repay him for all that he has done for me personally,” said McKelvey.
Hazelip said that Collins made his transition to the presidency seamless.
“He welcomed me as his successor so generously. He helped me get to know the entire Lipscomb community as he knew them. He supported me with his sincere best wishes at every point,” said Hazelip. “His greatest gift to me was his heartfelt friendship. He gave me love and support that were so helpful.”
Flatt said Collins was a great influence on his life.
“Personally, Brother Collins was my friend and mentor,” said Flatt. “He hired me to work at Lipscomb when I was still a senior in college. Over the next decade, he entrusted me with responsibility far beyond my experience. I join thousands of Lipscomb alumni and Christians the world over in mourning his passing and being forever grateful for his influence on our lives.”
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.