Wilbert E. Locklin Inauguration (April 30, 1966)

Grimaldi, Matthew F. · April 30, 1966

This photograph shows Wilbert E. Locklin (left) at his inauguration as Springfield College's ninth president. He is speaking with Norman C. Keith (center) and Milton Stover Eisenhower (right). Eisenhower and Locklin worked together at Johns Hopkins University, where the former was president and the latter was assistant to the president. Dr. Wilbert E. Locklin (April 2, 1920 – March 4, 2006) was raised in Washington, D.C. He graduated from John Hopkins University in 1942. During World War II, he served on bomber crews and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his military service, Locklin returned to Johns Hopkins and worked in admissions and development before becoming assistant to the president and later vice president. In 1965, Locklin was named president of Springfield College, where he served for twenty years. He was responsible for raising funds and developing strategic plans for Babson Library, Cheney Dining Hall, Fuller Arts Center, Gulick Hall, the Physical Education Complex, Linkletter Natatorium, and the Towne Health Center. He also introduced new academic programs in business, physical therapy, and YMCA studies. Furthermore, he was the driving force in expanding the college's international scope through his development of programs in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. Following his retirement in 1985, Locklin founded Locklin Management Services, which helped local nonprofit organizations with fundraising.