Blake R. Van Leer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blake R. Van Leer
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| President of the Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| In office 1944–1956 |
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| Preceded by | Marion L. Brittain |
| Succeeded by | Edwin D. Harrison |
| Dean of Engineering University of Florida | |
| In office 1932–1937 |
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| Dean of Engineering North Carolina State University | |
| In office 1937–1941 |
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| Berkeley City Council | |
| In office 1924–1932 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | August 16, 1893 Mangum, Oklahoma |
| Died | January 23, 1956 (aged 62) Atlanta, Georgia |
| Alma mater | Purdue University University of Caen Normandy University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation | University president |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1953 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | Corps of Engineers |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Croix de Guerre |
Blake Ragsdale Van Leer (born August 16, 1893 – died January 23, 1956) was an important engineer and university leader. He served as the fifth president of the Georgia Institute of Technology (also known as Georgia Tech) from 1944 until he passed away in 1956.
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Early Life and Education
Blake Van Leer was born in Mangum, Oklahoma. After his father died in 1897, he lived in an orphanage in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a very bright student. In 1915, he graduated with honors from Purdue University. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. He also studied in France at the University of Caen. In 1924, he married Ella Lillian Wall in Berkeley, California.
Military Service and University Leadership
Van Leer started his career as an engineer and became an officer in the United States Army. During World War I, he led engineering teams. These teams built bridges to help soldiers cross rivers. He fought in five different battles. In one battle, his unit held an island against enemy forces for two days.
After his military service, Van Leer became a leader in education.
- From 1932 to 1937, he was a Dean at the University of Florida.
- In 1937, he became the Dean of Engineering at North Carolina State University.
- During World War II, he took a break from his dean role. He served as a U.S. Army officer again and reached the rank of colonel.
Leading Georgia Tech
After World War II, Van Leer became the President of Georgia Tech. He made many important changes during his time there.
Opening Doors for Women
One of his biggest achievements was allowing women to enroll at Georgia Tech for the first time. He first tried to get women into night school. After a vote failed to allow women into the main university, he tried again. This time, he succeeded by a close decision. He believed women should have the chance to study engineering.
Growth and Research
Under Van Leer's leadership, Georgia Tech grew a lot. It became the largest engineering school in the Southern United States. It was also the third largest in the U.S. and Canada. Van Leer wanted Atlanta to be known as the "MIT of the South." He worked hard to bring major companies like Lockheed Corporation to expand in Atlanta.
Fighting for Equality
Van Leer was also a strong supporter of equality. In 1946, he joined UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). This group worked against racism through important statements on race.
He is well-known for his actions around the 1956 Sugar Bowl football game. The governor of Georgia, Marvin Griffin, demanded that Bobby Grier, an African American player from the University of Pittsburgh, not be allowed to play against Georgia Tech. Van Leer stood up to the governor. He famously said:
Either we’re going to the Sugar Bowl or you can find yourself another ... president of Georgia Tech.
His actions helped pave the way for more fair practices in sports and education. Four years after his death, Georgia Tech students voted to allow qualified students of all races to enroll.
Legacy
The building that houses Georgia Tech's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering is named after him. It is called the Van Leer Building. He also founded Southern Polytechnic State University. This university later joined Kennesaw State University in 2015.
Blake Van Leer passed away from a heart attack on January 24, 1956.
Family Life
Blake Van Leer's family followed in his footsteps. All of his children became engineers.
- His daughter, Maryly Van Leer Peck, became an engineer and a college president.
- His son, Blake Wayne Van Leer, became a high-ranking officer in the United States Navy and was also an engineer.
- His youngest son, Samuel Van Leer, graduated from Georgia Tech. He later became a headmaster at several private schools. Samuel said his father believed anyone could be a "Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech" (a nickname for Georgia Tech students). He didn't care about race or gender and was always progressive.
