West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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3n jHemoriam DR. CHAUNCEY WILLIAM WAGGONER, B. S., A. M.. Ph.D. [page eight

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3Br. Cijauncep l illiam l agpner Chauncey William Waggoner was born at Rock Bridge, Ohio, February 23, 1881. He was graduated from Ohio University at Athens Ohio, with the degree of B. S., in 1904, and from Cornell University with the degree of A. M., in 1905. For five years he was student and instructor in Cornell University. He specialized in physics and won his doctorate in 1909. In the same year he was chosen Professor of Physics and Head of the Department of Physics in West Virginia University and took up his w ork at once. The thirteen years that followed were years of unusual growth and expansion in the University, especially in the departments of science, and Professor Waggoner, in sympathy with this department, reorganized the department of physics adequately to meet the growing demands upon it. As a member in active attendance on the meetings of numerous national scientific bodies, he kept himself in close touch with the advance made in physics and engineering. He brought to this University and to this State valuable information gleaned from such associations, and shared it with others. Before the establishment of a department of weights and measures in his State he labored gratuitously and tirelessly to secure the enactrr ent of adequate and just legislation to regulate the use of weights and measures in the State, and after the establishment of a department of weights and measures in 1915, he worked zealously, as Assistant Commissioner of Weights and Measures, to help make this department useful and effective. During the participation of the United States in the great war. Dr. Waggoner was chairman of the research committee of the state council of defense. He was also active in researches with industrial corporations engaged in the manufacture of munitions. Dr. Waggoner was broad in his views and many-sided in his interests. Native ability and scientific training guided him to well-based judgments. While tolerant of others ' views, he was constructive and convincing in the presentation of his own views. Alert to every phase of civic and spiritual betterment, he showed himself in daily practice a sympathetic colleague, a kindly neighbor, and a dutiful citizen. For young people he had especial sympathy, and he was active in encouraging their interest in religious and community life as in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. He had unusual zeal and energy. Hence, he labored without stint to advance the interests of youth, church, community and State. He had a strong moral courage. He therefore supported frankly and firmly, though with becoming courtesy tow ard adversaries, every cause which he deemed worthy of his espousal. His power of initiative and analysis made him a weighty advocate or a strong opponent. In him we found exemplified the finer qualities of a scholar, teacher, colleague, neighbor and citizen. page nine]