Issue date: 7/22/10 Section: News

Once considered the primary authority on American agriculture, Gilbert Fite, Eastern's fourth sitting president, died at the age of 92 on July 13.

He was born and raised in South Dakota, but has been living in Fort Myers, Fla. since his retirement. He is survived by his wife, June; his two sons; and grandchildren.

Fite was Eastern's president from 1971 until 1976, and made many improvements to the campus and curriculum.

Dan Hesler, who was the director of university relations while Fite was president, said Fite was the person to change the academic year from having quarters, to having semesters.

"He was a big contributor to the world of academics and added a lot to Eastern," he said.

When Fite first came to Eastern, the university was suffering from a budget cut.
Despite the budget problems, Fite was able to create many new facilities and update others.

According to a press release, Fite was responsible for the additions made to the Lantz Arena, the Physical Education and Recreation Building, the Doudna Fine Arts Center, the Physical Science Building, the Physical Plant Services Building, and the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Fite also helped increase enrollment while he was at Eastern.

Overall, student enrollment increased from 8,214 to 9,252; a 12.6 percent growth, according to a press release.

Hesler said Fite also updated the athletic program. Athletics was not a top priority at the university prior to this time. Fite was able to increase the interest in football and basketball on campus.

Hesler said he thought very highly of Fite as president.

"He was very successful and never demonstrated an ego," Hesler said. "He was an excellent person to work with."

Dan Thornburgh, founding chairman of the Eastern journalism program, said he last saw Fite two years ago in Fort Myers.

Thornburgh said Fite was a fine individual who supported the university and his family.
"He was a very positive person who was instrumental in developing many of the academic programs."

Thornburgh said Fite helped develop the journalism program on campus.

He said Fite and his wife were instrumental in getting journalism approved as a major.

Thornburgh said Fite was always available to
help with the program and students.

He said several times he would be in Fite's office and a student would come in asking for help.

"He was also readily willing to help any student," he said.

Thornburgh also said Fite was considered to be the American historian of agriculture.

"He was the primary authority on American agriculture," Thornburgh said.

President William Perry said he extends his sympathy to the Fite family.

"I count myself fortunate to have met President Fite during my first year at EIU and experience first hand the sense of energy and intellect that he brought to bear during his tenure at Eastern," Perry said.

Booth Library will be displaying an exhibit Thursday that will document Fite's time at Eastern in the south entrance.

Abby Allgire can be reached at 581-7942 or at alallgire@eiu.edu

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