Whitehouse came to the university in 1978, when it was known as Florida Technological University, as a professor and chair of the industrial engineering department. At the time, the school’s enrollment was about 11,000 students.

Ten years later, he was named dean of the College of Engineering. He drew praise for elevating the reputation of the engineering school.

“He [Whitehouse] was the dean who hired me at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in 1993. We had one of the most interesting and inspiring conversations that ultimately helped me make up my mind that I wanted to work at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½,â€� said Manoj Chopra, professor of engineering who’s been at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ since and has served on the university’s Board of Trustees. “We talked everything from sports to computer programming to research. He was a very warm person and I enjoyed the wonderful conversations we had together.â€�

In 1992, Whitehouse chaired the presidential search committee that ultimately selected Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s current and longest-serving president, John C. Hitt. The following year, after a national search, Hitt tapped Whitehouse to serve as provost.

In that role, Whitehouse held the second-highest rank at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ and was the university’s top academic officer. He spent 10 years as provost, and was the architect behind much of Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½â€™s academic growth during that time. Under Hitt and Whitehouse the faculty grew by more than 300, dozens of new degree programs were added and enrollment increased by more than two-thirds.

Hitt said Whitehouse was “both a skilled administrator and a true academic leader. He soon became a trusted friend.�

During his years as provost, Whitehouse missed the classroom. He stepped down as provost in 2003 so he could return to teaching and research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s industrial engineering and management systems department. He retired in 2005.

“He really enjoyed working with students of all levels. He returned to teaching many times throughout his career,� said Gail DePuy, his daughter. “It was clear how much he enjoyed his career choice in higher education.�

His son, Glenn, added: “My parents both viewed the university as not just a place to work, but as a community. As a family, we were always going to theater plays, sporting events, musical productions and other events. We used the university as a cultural resource in our family life. We have a lot of great memories at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½.â€�

In retirement, Whitehouse traveled with his wife of 53 years, Marian, who preceded him in death, and spent time with their grandchildren. He also was a hospital volunteer near their home in Bonita Springs, Fla.

He is survived by his daughter, Gail, and her husband Wynand; son, Glenn, and his wife Marianne; and three grandchildren: Daniel Whitehouse, Meredith DePuy and Drew DePuy.

Morgan was hired in 1994 as a personnel representative in Human Resources and was promoted to her current job in 1995. She has served three provosts at Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ in her role: Gary Whitehouse, Terry Hickey and Waldrop.

“In my position, no two days are alike,� she said, likening all the varied duties she coordinates for her job as similar to being a plate spinner.

The annual Founders’ Day awards began in 1989, and Morgan became the coordinator in 1995. She said her guiding principle in coordinating the ceremonies for nearly two decades has always focused on what a former co-worker said: Â鶹ӳ»­´«Ã½ is such a young institution that establishing traditions such as the convocation help to put the “ivy on our walls.â€�

In her retirement, Morgan said she is looking forward to focusing on fitness, taking some art classes, walking on the beach with her husband, planning an Alaskan cruise to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary next year, and “discovering what’s next.�

But first, Morgan’s hard work will be on display at Wednesday’s Founders’ Day. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union.

The university will recognize faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, advising, research, professional service, and librarianship. Also to be recognized are faculty members who have completed 20, 30, 40, and 45 years of service and those who recently retired or who are retiring soon.

Ten students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in a particular area of study will be recognized along with four Honors in the Major students for having written the most outstanding theses. Recently graduated seniors who completed honors theses and juniors and seniors who are in the top 1 percent academically of undergraduates within each college will also be recognized.