Former KU engineering dean dies

Administrator played role in recruiting minority students

William P. Smith guided the Kansas University School of Engineering through a time of growth that included expansion of Learned Hall, addition of two degrees and the integration of NASA-sponsored projects.

But Smith, who died Saturday at age 88, might be best known for his projects outside the engineering school.

“I always found him to be a very interesting individual,” said Carl Locke, who succeeded Smith as dean. “He was a very friendly, open individual. I’d characterize him as easygoing.”

Smith’s side projects included a proposal in the late 1970s and early 1980s to use wood and wastepaper to provide fuel for KU’s power plant. But the cost of oil and natural gas eventually dropped, and legislators never followed through with the proposal.

Another project included investigating whether solar power could be used to create steam for KU’s heating and air-conditioning system. Again, the project never came to fruition.

Smith was the only person to serve as dean of the engineering school three times.

After coming to KU as a professor in 1950, he served as acting dean during the spring 1963 semester, as dean from 1965 to 1978 and again as acting dean from 1984 to 1986.

His projects included establishing the Student Council for Recruiting, Motivating and Educating Black Engineers; securing funding from NASA to help build Nichols Hall and starting the Master of Engineering and Doctor of Engineering degrees, which are based on practice rather than research.

He retired from KU in 1986.

“Bill was dean during a time of major growth in the engineering school,” said Harry Talley, a retired professor. “He was an effective leader, a low-key individual. He gave people free rein but expected people to do their best job. As long as they did, he gave them firm support.”

Services are pending and will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. They are expected to be in about three weeks.

The family suggests donations to the KU School of Engineering, the Endacott Society or St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, sent in care of the funeral home.