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Professor Emeritus Bill McIlwaine |
R-MC Professor Emeritus of English William Meade “Bill” McIlwaine died on October 14, 2011.
McIlwaine taught at Randolph-Macon from 1955-1994 and specialized in 18th and 19th century British literature. During his distinguished tenure at the college, his passion for the history of film compelled him to introduce film studies—which eventually became a minor—to R-MC’s curriculum. He regularly introduced films and led discussions at the Virginia Film Festivals in Charlottesville.
In 2009, McIlwaine was presented with the Noe-Kilgore Award, which was established in 1998 by an anonymous alumnus to honor R-MC faculty emeriti. He received numerous other awards including the Distinguished Service Faculty Award and he served on various college committees, including chairing the scholarships committee for six years.
The citation for his Noe-Kilgore award included the following: “Unassuming and modest, Bill McIlwaine is a prized member of our community. Randolph-Macon College was a perfect fit for him. For his colleagues in English and those who know him well, Bill’s life exemplifies what it means to be an intellectual, a supporter of the arts, a man dedicated to his family, and a loyal friend."
McIlwaine’s accomplishments as a teacher, scholar, and faculty member were many and impressive, according to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs William Franz. “Bill was an intellectual mentor and friend to his colleagues,” says Franz. “He kept up to date on literature, film, politics, and national and international events, and he supported the arts. He was one of our dearest R-MC family members.”
After his retirement, McIlwaine continued to enjoy his love of the arts. He was quoted in a recent alumni magazine article as saying, “A typical day is spent doing what I love to do—reading, taking a walk, listening to music, having lunch with friends . . . and watching a film.” His nephew, Tom Wulf, says, “He lived a wonderful life and did exactly what he loved, including watching movies and then talking about them.”
McIlwaine was a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and earned his master's degree in English from the University of Virginia. He taught and completed his coursework for his Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. He also studied for a year at Cambridge University.
A memorial service was at Duncan Memorial Methodist Church in Ashland on Wednesday, October 19. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hampden-Sydney College.