Kays, William M.

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract: William M. Kays begins the interview by discussing how he became interested in engineering, how he came to Stanford, and how he became specialized in thermodynamics and mechanical engineering. He describes the university and the programs as they were when he first arrived at Stanford and how they evolved over the years. He mentions numerous people who helped shape the programs and who influenced him along the way, while discussing where he feels he made a contribution. Kays talks about his experiences in ROTC and subsequently in the Army Corps of Engineers and the Infantry during World War II. He relates how he and many others returned to the university under the G. I. Bill and how that enabled them to pursue advanced degrees. Next he describes his experiences on the faculty and his approach to teaching. He talks about the emergence of Stanford as a top-ranked university in the field of engineering due to the innovation and the creativity of the faculty and the students. He emphasizes the importance of various types of funding and how that has evolved since the earlier years to ensure ongoing success of the programs. He also mentions the increase in the number of women faculty and students in engineering. In conclusion, he reflects on his career and his decisions to stay at Stanford despite other opportunities. His final thoughts are about the profound experience of his service in World War II, including combat and the people with whom he served.

Type of resource	mixed material
Date created	October 17, 2013

Publisher	Stanford Historical Society
Author	Kays, William M.
Author	Fetter, Alexander L.

Subject	William M. Kays
Subject	Stanford Historical Society
Subject	oral histories
Subject	interviews
Subject	Atomic Energy Commission
Subject	Engineering Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division
Subject	James Gibbons

Related item	Title Finding aid
Location	https://purl.stanford.edu/kp918hj5793

Use and reproduction: The materials are open for research use and may be used freely for non-commercial purposes with an attribution. For commercial permission requests, please contact the Stanford University Archives (universityarchives@stanford.edu).
Copyright: Copyright © The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. All rights reserved.

Preferred Citation: William M. Kays (2013). Oral
history. Stanford Digital Repository. Available at:
http://purl.stanford.edu/kp918hj5793

Stanford Historical Society Oral History Program interviews, 1999-2022

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