William E. Walsh, 1879-1968, was one of the founders of the University of Miami and served as the first Chairman of the Board of Regents from 1925 to 1929. He was a judge of Miami Beach from 1923 to 1935 and successful lawyer. In February 1956, the university awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, and on June 7, 1964, he received the gold cross of the Order of Merits. Subsequent to his death, one of the residential towers was given his name.
William E. Walsh, a businessman and municipal judge in Miami Beach, was one of the founders and organizers of the University of Miami. He also served as Chairman of the provisional Board of Regents of the University.
H. Franklin Williams joined the University of Miami faculty in 1939 as a professor of history. Although he continued to teach one course each semester, Williams accepted a succession of administrative positions. He served as Chairman of the History Department and as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1948, President Bowman F. Ashe appointed Williams as Vice President and Dean of Faculties. Williams later served as Dean of Students, Vice President for Community Affairs, and Dean of University College. Subsequently, He returned to teaching full time in the history department where served until 1972.
Among many other university contributions, Williams served on the University Publications Committee and was a member of the Gerontological Council, Vice President the Middle Eastern Institute, and helped establish the University of the Americas Inc. During the 1960's Williams acted as chairman of the Personnel Committee and as vice president of the Economic Opportunity Program, Inc.
