Dr. William Jack McBride, vice president for academic affairs and dean of Findlay College for 20 years, died on Dec. 17 at 85 years of age.

Dr. McBride served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of Findlay College from 1964 to 1984. He was responsible for recruitment and evaluation of faculty and supervision and development of the academic program. He instituted the first freshman seminar in 1971 and guided the first year experience to regional prominence. He also oversaw the development of the equestrian and pre-veterinary medicine programs, which have become nationally known for their excellence. He became assistant to the president in 1984 and retired in 1992.

Dean McBride devoted considerable time and effort to strengthening the faculty and curriculum, and ensuring the quality in the instructional program.
He worked to develop close relations with neighboring liberal arts colleges and was elected to the board of directors of the Regional Council for International Education, a 31- member organization, in 1969.

In addition, he was instrumental in establishing the Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce’s Hancock Leadership Program, for which he served as director for five years.

Prior to coming to Findlay, he served as dean of students at Mount Union (Ohio) College, and had previously served two years as associate professor at the Conservatory of Music at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio. He also had been a teacher at Rye Country Day School in New York and at Bessemer Public Schools in Alabama.

He held a bachelor’s degree in education from Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio, and a master’s degree in professional performance and doctoral degree in music education from the Teachers College of Columbia University. He also studied at the Juilliard School of Music.

A lifelong music lover, he was chorus master for the 1969 production of Gilbert Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance” by the Findlay Light Opera Co., served as a member of The University of Findlay Curtain Raisers arts support organization, and had performed numerous times on the UF and community stages.

He and his wife, Betty, were named Distinguished Associates by The University of Findlay on July 11, 1995. The award recognizes those who, by their personal endeavors, financial support and leadership have brought distinction to the University.

He was active in the community, including service on the Findlay•Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Findlay Commission on Human Rights and Findlay Area Personnel Club, among others.