In the year that ends Washington University’s milestone anniversary, it is most fitting that the recipient of the William Greenleaf Eliot Society’s highest award is one of its greatest leaders, William H. Danforth, Chancellor Emeritus. As Chancellor from 1971 to 1995, Danforth was the University’s longest serving chancellor, leading it through one of the most critical periods in its development.
He was presented with the Search Award at the Society’s 37th annual dinner, held on April 22 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton.
At the dinner, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton presented Danforth with a silver replica of The Search, a sculpture designed by Heikki Seppa, professor emeritus in the school of art.
In presenting the honor to Danforth, Wrighton said: “He is a man of great and enduring influence at the University, in St. Louis, and in many national organizations and educational and scientific enterprises. He has served as a leader in many professional and academic societies.”
On a personal note, Wrighton said that nothing could have prepared him for Danforth’s kindness and his deep commitment to the University when he came to St. Louis as a candidate for the chancellorship. “I cannot imagine how I would have made the transition to a new city and the post of chancellor without his friendship, counsel, and moral support.”
Danforth served as chancellor from 1971 to 1995, the longest tenure for a chancellor in the University’s history. He has been associated with Washington University since 1957 when he joined its school of medicine faculty. From 1965 to 1971, he served as vice chancellor for medical affairs and as president of the Washington University Medical Center. Upon his retirement, he assumed the chairmanship of the University’s Board of Trustees from 1995 to 1999; currently he is vice chairman and Chairman Emeritus.
Danforth took his family’s deep belief in education and public service to heart, and his giving and community service record demonstrates his extraordinary support to the St. Louis region and beyond. His grandfather founded Ralston-Purina, as well as the Danforth Foundation, which has generously supported education. The largest gift to the Campaign, $100 million, was a lead gift from the Danforth Foundation that supported a range of needs campus-wide.
At Washington University, his mark has been made throughout the campuses. The Eliot Society created its highest level of membership in his honor. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Ibby), have contributed literally thousands of hours of service to the University and to its students, faculty, and the academic enterprise, in addition to their formal duties.
Beloved by students, he united the University community during a critical period of campus unrest and promoted academic excellence while increasing the endowment elevenfold. Danforth’s skillful mediation and determined leadership ensured Washington University’s place as a world-class institution.
A member of the Institute of Medicine, Danforth received a B.A. from Princeton University and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1951. He did his advanced medical training at Barnes Hospital.
The William Greenleaf Eliot Society, named after Washington University’s co-founder, was established in 1959. Its 3,900 members are alumni, parents and friends who provide unrestricted support to the University.
In addition to the dinner and awards program, Eliot Society members were treated to a talk by Robert Ballard, the scientist, explorer and deep-sea expert. Best known for his discovery in 1985 of the Titanic, Ballard has succeeded in finding other significant shipwrecks. His fascinating accounts of underwater discoveries are documented in 18 books and many articles and scientific papers. For 30 years, he has been senior scientist in the department of applied physics and engineering and director of the Center for Marine Exploration at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.