Arthur Cutts Willard

Arthur Cutts Willard
Arthur Cutts Willard Image Courtesy of University of Illinois Archives
9th President of the University of Illinois
In office 1934–1946
Preceded by	Arthur H. Daniels
Succeeded by	George D. Stoddard
Personal details
Born	August 12, 1878 Washington D.C.
Died	September 11, 1960 Champaign, IL
Spouse(s)	Sarah Lamborn Willard
Alma mater	Massachusetts Institute of Technology George Washington University

Arthur Cutts Willard (1878–1960) was the ninth president of the University of Illinois and an innovator in the field of heating and ventilation. Known for being approachable, a gentleman and well-dressed; he was known and admired by many. He received worldwide acclaim for his research and contribution to the heating, ventilating field; in particular for his contributions to the Holland Tunnel. In addition to his contributions to heating and ventilation industry, Willard was an educator in heating and ventilation and mechanical engineering between 1906 and 1933. He taught at George Washington University and the University of Illinois. Willard was appointed president in 1934 and served until 1946. Although he served as president during a difficult time for the university and the nation, he continued to have the highest expectations of his students. During his time as president he obtained funding for construction and addition of many buildings on the University of Illinois campuses. Willard strongly believed education needed to be more broad and focus on the social and economic problems facing the nation. At the end of service to the University, the Institute of Aviation was established at University of Illinois Willard Airport, and it was named in honor of A.C. Willard.

Arthur Cutts Willard was born on August 12, 1878 in Washington, D.C., the only child of Alexander and Sarah Cutts Willard, both natives of Maine. Willard graduated from Central High School in Washington D.C in 1897. He then spent two years at the National College of Pharmacy at George Washington University. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1904 with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering.

Willard had many career changes after graduating from MIT. He returned to George Washington University in 1906 to become an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. In 1909 he became assistant sanitary and heating engineer in Army Quartermaster Corp and two years later he became full engineer. In 1913, he left Kentucky to come to the University of Illinois to serve as an assistant professor in heating and ventilation. In 1917 he was named full professor in the mechanical engineering department. The majority of his work at the University of Illinois was related to ventilation and refrigeration. During this year he also served as an engineer consultant for the army encampments and for the bureau of mines. In 1920 he became the head of the mechanical engineering department. Willard also served as a consultant on ventilation to chemical war service and adviser to national public health. He authored several books such as Heating and Ventilation as well as, Power Plans and Refrigeration.