Background
Watt, William Joseph was born on December 15, 1925 in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Son of Phillip Clinton and Ella (Dickey) Watt.
academic administrator chemistry educator
Watt, William Joseph was born on December 15, 1925 in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Son of Phillip Clinton and Ella (Dickey) Watt.
Student, University Michigan, 1943. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University Illinois, 1949. Master of Science, Cornell University, 1951.
Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell University, 1956.
Assistant professor of chemistry, Davidson (North Carolina) College, 1951-1953; assistant professor to associate professor, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1955-1965; professor of chemistry, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1965-1994; professor and dean emeritus, since 1994; associate dean of college, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1968-1971; dean, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1971-1984; head department chemistry, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, 1986-1991. Visiting professor National Science Foundation Institute High School Teachers, Alabama College, summers 1959-1961, University of Virginia, summers 1964-1966. Summer research participant Cornell Univercity, 1956;Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1957, 58, University of Virginia, 1962.
President Rockbridge chapter Virginia Museum Fine Arts, 1963-1965. Board directors Rockbridge Concert Theater Series, since 1960, president, 1971-1977. Trustee Episcopal High School, 1974-1980.
Vestryman, senior warden Episcopal Church. Board directors Botetourt-Rockbridge Regional Library, 1971-1980, chairman, 1975-1977. Secretary-treasurer Conference Academy Deans of Southern States, 1978-1979, vice president, 1979-1980, president, 1980-1981.
Chairman National Deans Conference, 1983, Commission Ministry Higher Education Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, 1989-1999. Served with Army of the United States, 1944-1946. Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, English-Speaking Union (national board directors 1993-1999), Virginia Academy of Sciences, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi Sigma, Omicron Delta Kappa (honorary).
Married Helen Stevens Gravatt, September 1, 1956. Children: John Gravatt, Phyllis Cary, William Joseph.