In Memory of Donald F. Bletz H’20, Ph.D.: The Lasting Legacy of a Decisive Leader
By Sandra Huffman ’86
All photos provided by the C. Elizabeth Boyd ’33 Archives.
The Wilson College community mourns the loss of Donald F. Bletz H’20, Ph.D., interim president from 1979 to 1981 and professor emeritus of business and government, who passed away on January 13, 2025, at age 99. Often noted for his organized, calm, and practical leadership, Bletz shared these traits with his students, and he exhibited them as president.
“Dr. Bletz stepped up to lead Wilson during one of her most challenging moments, and we are grateful for all he did to help Wilson through that pivotal time in her history. His love for Wilson and her students was a part of his DNA. The Wilson family joins me in mourning the loss of this outstanding leader,” shared Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
Bletz joined the Wilson faculty as an associate professor of political science in the fall of 1975 and for two years worked part time as assistant to the president. He took on a pivotal role after the near closing of the College in 1979 when he accepted the position of acting president immediately following the court reversal of the decision to close in May.
As acting president, Bletz met with every constituency at the College to plan and, in November 1979, the Trustees appointed him interim president for a term ending in June 1981. Nancy Adams Besch ’48, Trustee Emerita and former chair of the Save Wilson Committee—the ad hoc committee of the Alumnae Association that filed the court petition to stop the closure—said “Don was such a force at Wilson from the moment he stepped foot on campus! He filled the role of Interim President during a challenging time and did so with grace, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to the students, faculty, and staff.”
Left to Right: Photo from the 1979 Conococheague yearbook, and articles from the Public Opinion newspaper, May 29, 1979 and November 5, 1979.
Bletz spent much of his time in the president’s office rebuilding the College. After the initial announcement of the closure, half the faculty accepted other appointments, some administrative offices stood vacant, and the College was operating with a large budget deficit and a depleted endowment. Admissions activities had ceased, and only two-thirds of the student body returned for the fall semester. Bletz hired a new administrative team that worked closely with the Save Wilson Committee on admissions and fundraising, and he reestablished a working relationship with the Presbyterian Church of the USA.
Dr. Bletz minutes after leaving the May 1979 Board meeting in which he was asked to serve as acting president. Photo by Gretchen Van Ness ’80 who ran into him outside Norland Hall and took the photo without knowing what had just taken place. From the 1980 Conococheague yearbook.
The rebuilding process also brought opportunities. New majors were added to the curriculum, including economics, business administration, dance, communications studies, veterinary medical technology, and equitation management. Certificate programs in equitation and athletic coaching were also offered. Bletz helped create the Wilson equestrian program when he encouraged his friend, Colonel Alfred “Bud” Kitts, an award-winning rider, instructor, and international judge, to develop and strengthen what was then called the equitation program. (Bletz knew Kitts from their joint time at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where they both served their last Army tours of duty.)
From the 1989 Conococheague yearbook.
“Dr. Bletz was one of a kind in the classroom – engaged in open conversations with his students, shared his personal experiences, had a practical approach, and as down to earth as they come,” said Cheryl Wilhite Green ’78.
Working in private higher education was a second career for Bletz, who enlisted in the U.S. Army the same day he graduated from high school in 1943 and served in Europe, northern Italy, Korea, and Vietnam. He received a military education at the U.S. Army Infantry School and Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. He also spent the 1971 academic year as an
Official presidential portrait.
Army Fellow at the Harvard University Center for International Affairs. His nonmilitary education included a bachelor’s in history from the University of Omaha, a master’s in international relations, and a doctorate in international studies from American University.
His military career included several faculty assignments, and it was this teaching experience that led him to seek a position in civilian academia. He retired after 32 years of service with the rank of full colonel in 1975. His son Michael said, “My father committed himself to teaching and was fond of Wilson and her students. He was proud to be a part of the College.”
Bletz continued working at Wilson when his interim presidency ended in 1981, teaching full-time and serving six years as head of the business and economics department. The Board of Trustees recognized Bletz for his service as president when they established the Trustee Award for Distinguished Service, the highest non-academic honor presented by the College. Mary-Linda Merriam Armacost, president of the College from 1981 to 1991, said “Dr. Bletz was serving as Interim President when I was selected and arrived as president. I remember him saying to me, ‘Mary- Linda, I will support you and (will) stay out of your way.’ And he did! What a gentleman and a scholar! I remember him fondly.”
Patricia and Donald Bletz on the porch of Norland Hall.Upon his retirement from Wilson in 1995, the College established The Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award is presented annually to three members of the current faculty in recognition of their dedication to Wilson College. Deborah Austin, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and associate dean of academic advising, who joined the Wilson faculty in 1985, said “I have the utmost respect and admiration for Don Bletz. When I started my career at Wilson, I found him to be a strong role model. He offered guidance and encouragement. I appreciated his insight and perspective on issues raised at faculty meetings. It was clear why he served the College well as the interim president. The annual teaching award could not have been named in honor of a more deserving faculty member.”
“I had Dr. Bletz for many classes, and I still share stories of his classes with my students,” said Mary Catherine Nicolette Keating ’89, modern world history high school teacher in Va.
From the 1977 Conococheague yearbook.
At the 2004 Reunion, Bletz received the Alumni Association of Wilson College Faculty Award for his contributions during and after the near closing. The AAWC also named him an Honorary Alumnus in 2020.
He and his wife, Patricia, who died in 2012, were married for over 63 years. His granddaughter, Caitlin Kennell Kim, graduated from Wilson in 2004 with a major in women’s studies.
“Don will be truly missed. But his positive influence on the Wilson College community, and for those of us who were lucky enough to know and work with him closely, will always be remembered,” said Besch.
