The university and Galveston communities are mourning the loss of UTMB alumnus and President Emeritus Dr. William C. Levin, who passed away Jan. 28. 

A true legend in Texas medicine, Levin maintained close ties to UTMB since his graduation in 1941. He completed an internal medicine residency here and joined the faculty as an instructor in 1944. He directed the UTMB Blood Bank and the Division of Hematology for nearly three decades before becoming the second person to hold the title of president at the university. He served as president from 1974 to 1987, and was named President Emeritus in 1998.

Under his leadership, UTMB experienced a twofold increase in its research funding from private and federal sources, added 15 new facilities, and instituted new academic programs in each of its four health professions schools. This included the initiation of the MD/PhD Combined-Degree Program.

A champion of diversity in health sciences education, Levin also contributed immeasurably to UTMB’s time-honored commitment to diversity. When a long-term drop in minority enrollment became apparent in the 1970s, he formed an Alumni Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs to determine the cause. Based on the committee’s work, Levin instituted a number of programs to recruit and retain a diverse student body—a hallmark of UTMB’s education programs today.

Over the years, Levin and his family established a number of endowments that continue to support UTMB’s vital mission. These have made possible such important initiatives as the Edna Seinsheimer Levin Endowed Professorship in Cancer Studies, the Edna S. and William C. Levin Professorship in Internal Medicine, and the Levin Family Lecture in Hematology and Oncology.