Randolph renames donor society in honor of William F. Quillian, Jr.

Randolph College has renamed one of its giving societies in memory of William F. Quillian, Jr., the College’s fifth and longest-serving president.

Quillian was the 2010 Commencement speaker.

The Legacy Society, which recognizes people who have included the College in their estate plans, has been renamed the Quillian Society. Randolph College President Bradley W. Bateman announced the change during a donor recognition event at the recent Reunion for alumnae and alumni.

Quillian, who died on March 4, led the College for 26 years and oversaw significant changes such as campus expansion and racial integration of the student body. “Upon his retirement, Dr. Quillian took on an even more active role in the Lynchburg community,” Bateman said. Quillian was co-founder and executive director of the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust, which administers and invests gifts and bequests to benefit people living in the Lynchburg area. He also was the force behind the founding of the Lynchburg chapter of Leave A Legacy, a nonprofit that encourages people to include charitable causes in their wills.

Quillian’s wife, Margaret Quillian, and his daughter, Anne Quillian, were present at the announcement to represent her family. Anne presented Bateman with the yellow doctoral tam that members of the Class of 1959 gave to her father upon their graduation.

Randolph College Remembers Dr. William F. Quillian, Jr.

Quillian was the 2010 Commencement speaker

A Lynchburg icon passed away early Tuesday morning, March 4, shortly before his 101st birthday.
William F. Quillian, Jr., the fifth president of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, now Randolph College, and the institution’s longest-serving president, was a long-time supporter of the College, speaking at Commencement in 2010 and publishing Voices from R-MWC, a collection of essays about the College and his leadership. His presidency stretched from 1952 to 1978.


He and his wife, Margaret, came to Lynchburg in 1952 when Quillian began his tenure as president. His leadership brought dramatic chang
e—to the campus and the world surrounding it. During Quillian’s 26-year presidency, he oversaw a major push for capital improvements, racial integration of the student body, the end of sororities, and the launch of the College’s flagship study abroad program, The World in Britain.

The endeared president and father of four was well-loved by alumnae and alumni, who remembered his devotion to students and the liberal arts.

Quillian and his wife, Margaret

Randolph President Bradley W. Bateman said, “You cannot come to Randolph without being impacted in some way by Bill’s leadership. We will forever be grateful for his unwavering support of this institution. And we join with his family in both mourning the passing of this fine man and celebrating the abundant life he lived with passion.”

Information on services for Quillian will be shared as soon as it is made available. 

A special photo gallery is available: https://picasaweb.google.com/117081625183515324802/WilliamFQuillian?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

To read more about Quillian and his commitment and suppport of the College, please see this release.

Make a gift in memory of Dr. William F. Quillian, Jr.

Dr. Quillian Addresses Class of 2010

With the beauty of Randolph College’s Dell as the backdrop, Dr. William F. Quillian, Jr., president emeritus, presented the 2010 Commencement address Sunday, May 16 to 125 graduates. The 97-year-old was the keynote speaker at a special ceremony honoring Randolph College’s heritage as Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

• More about Commencement 2010
  
• Commencement Address by Dr. William F. Quillian, Jr.