Melvin A. Eggers
Encyclopedia
Melvin A. Eggers was the 9th Chancellor and President of Syracuse University
. Eggers took office in 1971, amidst tumult at Syracuse and other university campuses, and retired in 1991. He is the third-longest serving chancellor in Syracuse history.
Eggers was born February 21, 1916, in Fort Wayne, Ind., and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Indiana University in 1940 and 1941, respectively. After receiving his Ph.D. in economics from Yale in 1950, Eggers became an assistant professor in the economics department at Syracuse University, where he subsequently became department chair (1960) and full professor (1963). Eggers was later appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs before being appointed chancellor in 1971, when the previous chancellor John E. Corbally left Syracuse to lead the University of Illinois system.
Eggers took office in the midst of student demonstrations and strikes, primarily focused on ending the Vietnam War
. Eggers is widely seen as having strengthened Syracuse academically over his two decades as chancellor. During his tenure, the university upgraded many of its academic programs, its enrollment increased substantially, and many new buildings were opened, including the Carrier Dome
. Eggers also guided the university community through the trauma of the December 21, 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103
, which killed 35 students returning from a semester of study at Syracuse's London campus.
Eggers retired as chancellor in 1991. Eggers Hall was dedicated in his honor in October 1994; he died November 20, 1994.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. Eggers took office in 1971, amidst tumult at Syracuse and other university campuses, and retired in 1991. He is the third-longest serving chancellor in Syracuse history.
Eggers was born February 21, 1916, in Fort Wayne, Ind., and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Indiana University in 1940 and 1941, respectively. After receiving his Ph.D. in economics from Yale in 1950, Eggers became an assistant professor in the economics department at Syracuse University, where he subsequently became department chair (1960) and full professor (1963). Eggers was later appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs before being appointed chancellor in 1971, when the previous chancellor John E. Corbally left Syracuse to lead the University of Illinois system.
Eggers took office in the midst of student demonstrations and strikes, primarily focused on ending the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Eggers is widely seen as having strengthened Syracuse academically over his two decades as chancellor. During his tenure, the university upgraded many of its academic programs, its enrollment increased substantially, and many new buildings were opened, including the Carrier Dome
Carrier Dome
The Carrier Dome is a 49,250-seat domed sports stadium located on the campus of Syracuse University in the University Hill neighborhood of Syracuse, New York, USA. It is home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. High school football championships are also held in "The...
. Eggers also guided the university community through the trauma of the December 21, 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103
Pan Am Flight 103
Pan Am Flight 103 was Pan American World Airways' third daily scheduled transatlantic flight from London Heathrow Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport...
, which killed 35 students returning from a semester of study at Syracuse's London campus.
Eggers retired as chancellor in 1991. Eggers Hall was dedicated in his honor in October 1994; he died November 20, 1994.