DELAND
tetson Tetter
ST. PETERSBURG
JULY 10, 1967
KENAN PROFESSORSHIP ANNOUNCED
Stetson University has been selected as a recipient of a $500,000
endowment grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust of
New York. Announcement of the grant, made by President J. Ollie
Edmunds, was one of the highlights of the University's 84th Commencement in DeLand, June 4.
According to President Edmunds, the $500,000 grant will be
maintained in perpetuity by the University and the income only used
to support a "William R. Kenan, Jr. Professorship."
The late William Rand Kenan, Jr. noted chemist, engineer, industrialist, executive, farmer and philanthropist, is credited as being one of
the co-discoverers of calcium carbide — identifying it, determining its
formula and making kncwn the fact that acetylene gas can be derived
from it.
Following this discovery, Kenan was active as a chemical and mechanical engineering advisor, responsible for the installation of several
important plants for the carbide and acetylene industry in the United
States, Australia and Germany.
President Edmunds, in his announcement, stated that "this grant
will enable us to establish a professorship cf such eminence and distinction as to bring honor and respect to the name of William R. Kenan, Jr.
WILLIAM R. KENAN, JR. It ^ Qur ^^ and ^ of ^ Kenan Trust tQ support a University
teacher whose enthusiasm for learning, commit
ment to teaching and interest in students will
make a notable contribution to the University's
undergraduate community."
He added that, "a great deal of time and
study will be undertaken by University officials
in selection of the person to hold this distinguished
Professorship and the area in which he will teach."
A native of Wilmington, North Carolina,
Kenan made his primary home in Lockport, New
York, where he died on July 2, 1965.
He received his B.S. degree in 1894 from the
University of North Carolina, and was later
awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by
that institution in recognition of his diversified
contributions to science and humanity.
Shortly after the turn of the century, Kenan
was invited by Henry M. Flagler to join him as a
consulting and construction engineer for his expanding empire of railroad, hotels, utilities and
other enterprises which were being developed along
the east coast of Florida.
From 1924 to the time of his death, the noted
Philanthropist was president and part owner of
what were known as the Flagler System Companies. In Lockport, he was part owner of the
Western Block Company, and owned Randleigh
Farm, noted as a model Jersey dairy cattle farm
operated for experimental and breeding purposes.
In the later years of his life, Kenan helped
many boys through his support of the local
YMCA, and he contributed substantially to education institutions and the community through
organizations of his Church.
He had many strong convictions, and those
with repect to education prompted the following
statement in his last will: "I have always believed
firmly that a good education is the most cherished
gift an individual can receive, and it is my sincere
hope that the provisions of this Article will result
in a substantial benefit to mankind."
