William B. Boyd was born in South Carolina in 1923. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1940. Boyd served in the U.S. Navy as a deck officer and navigator, 1943-1946. He earned his B.A. from Presbyterian College (1946), his M.A. from Emory University (1947), and his Ph. D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1954), with a major in modern European history and a concerntration in French diplomatic history. Boyd served as a member of the history faculty at Emory University, 1947-1949, and at Michigan State University, 1953-1958. From 1958-1965 he served as Dean of the Faculty and as a Professor of History at Alma College. In July 1966, Dr. Boyd was named as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at the University of California-Berkeley. On April 17, 1968 he was selected as the seventh President of Central Michigan University (CMU). He was inaugurated on May 12, 1969. President Boyd encouraged the acceptance of new ideas, freedom, and innovative teaching. Perhaps President Boyd is best known for his skilled handling of angry student demonstrators in the early 1970s. He allowed a "teach in" on campus. Enrollment continued to grow during President Boyd's tenure. CMU increased its degree programs, initiated what is now Extended Degree Programs, and built new academic and athletic facilities. Diversity, Affirmative Action, minority rights, projects, committees, courses, initiatives, and a Cultural Center all began at CMU with President Boyd's administration. In 1975 President Boyd resigned to become the President of the University of Oregon, where he served until 1980. He also co-authored a book and published a number of articles. Boyd married Louise Philson, with whom he had two daughters, Marcie and Susan. (Information from the collection.).
From the description of President William B. Boyd Papers, 1968-1978. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 51254995
