The Board of Trustees honored Dr. William B. Stallcup with the Trustee Distinguished Service Award at its May 9 meeting.

Stallcup served as president ad interim from November 1986 to August 1987 after SMU received the “death penalty” from the NCAA in 1986. The board praised Stallcup, saying “his conduct of the university’s affairs during this troubled period restored the confidence of the faculty, students, staff and alumni in the administrative leadership of the university.”

His relationship with SMU began when he received his bachelor’s degree in biology. After World War II, during which he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he joined the biology department.

After his stint as president ad interim, Stallcup continued teaching. He retired in 1989, upon which he served as resident director of SMU-in-Taos from 1990 to 1992.

In addition, Stallcup served as the associate dean of Dedman College and special assistant to the president. He also served as acting provost, provost ad interim and two terms as associate provost.

In 2002, Stallcup was awared the Distinguished Alumni Award.

He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Kansas.