Hamilton, NY — Everett Needham Case, the man credited with guiding Colgate University through the ‘perilous shoals’ of the World War II years and to new heights of academic eminence, died yesterday, July 18, 2000, at Harding Nursing Home in Waterville, New York at the age of 99. He served as the ninth president of Colgate University from 1942 to 1962.
‘Mr. Case guided the college through the challenging years of World War II before leading its emergence into the modern era,’ said Colgate President Charles Karelis. ‘Working with faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees, he gave shape and substance to the college we know today.’
As president, Case achieved distinction for numerous major accomplishments, including bringing Colgate through years of low enrollment during World War II by securing national defense training programs for U.S. Navy personnel.
In the postwar years, when enrollment increased 35 percent, Case furthered the development of the core curriculum, which served as a model for similar programs on many college campuses, and improved advanced instruction in specialized fields. Faculty members became increasingly productive in research and other creative endeavors, faculty salaries were significantly increased and a program of fringe benefits and regular sabbatical leaves was instituted. Case was also credited with enhancing the structure and function of various areas of the administration.
The college also benefitted from improvements to its physical plant, including the construction of six major buildings: the infirmary wing of Hamilton Community Memorial Hospital in 1952; the Kendrick, Eaton, and Dodge residence halls in 1957; the University Library, Chapel House and Reid Athletic Center in 1959; and Watson House in 1962. Case’s talents as a staunch fundraiser for the college helped to increase endowment income and annual giving many times over in support of educational programs.
Colgate also expanded its offerings of special public services during President Case’s tenure, such as teacher training, the Colgate Foreign Policy Conference, and use of campus facilities for summer programs of the American Management Association and New York State gatherings including Boys’ State.
The college awarded Case an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1957 and in 1962 the library was designated the Everett Needham Case Library in his honor. Case’s wife, Josephine Young Case, was herself an integral member of the community who was beloved for her gracious hospitality and recognized for her contributions through her membership on a variety of committees, scholarly interests, publications, and stimulating and creative ideas. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Case wrote a biography of her father, Owen D. Young, chairman of General Electric and founder of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). Mrs. Case predeceased Mr. Case in 1990.
Born April 9, 1901, Everett Needham Case was educated at Princeton, Cambridge, and Harvard universities. After experience in industry, and prior to his arrival at Colgate, Case was assistant dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration from 1939 to 1942.
After leaving Colgate in 1962, Case went on to become president and chief executive officer of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. He briefly served as chairman of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York before retiring in 1969.
During his administrative years, Case also served at various times as president of the American Council on Education, chairman of National Educational Television (NET), board member of IBM World Trade, the Committee for Economic Development, and the Fund for Financial Aid to Education. Additionally, he had been an alumni trustee of Princeton, board member of the Sloan-Kettering Foundation, and a member of the Harvard Overseers Committee to visit the college and its history department. He was the recipient of 13 honorary degrees.
Case is survived by his four children: Josephine Edmonds Case of Van Hornesville, N.Y., James H. III of White Plains, N.Y., Samuel P. of Fairfax, CA, and John P. of Cambridge, MA; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held later in Van Hornesville, N.Y. and at Colgate. Gifts in his memory may appropriately be directed to the Everett Needham Case Library or in support of minority applicants, in care of Memorial Gifts, to Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY — 13346.
Founded in 1819, Colgate University is a nationally ranked, highly selective, residential, liberal arts college. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, Colgate University attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents from all over the United States.
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