MOTION BY SENATOR MAYER
FOR PROFESSOR WILLIAM (“Bill”) McBROOM, SOCIOLOGY
The Faculty Senate of the University of Montana mourns the passing of William McBroom, retired
professor of sociology.
After completing his doctorate at Ohio State University, Bill served as a professor of Sociology at the
University of Montana from 1968 to 2003.
In the history of the University of Montana, few members of the faculty have served so well in so many
capacities. A demanding and dedicated teacher, he was also a highly productive scholar. Bill published
prolifically, including some thirty articles he co-authored with his friend and collaborator, Fred Reed. Bill
chaired his department, served as president of the University Teachers Union (now the University
Faculty Association), and chaired the Faculty Senate from 2000 to 2001.
Among those who knew Bill, the word most frequently used to describe him was decent. Everything he
did was marked by his fundamental decency. The campus counted on Bill as an honest broker and a
stickler for procedure. He believed in the power of reason to resolve disputes. He was a loyal,
dependable friend and a devoted husband.
On behalf of the entire faculty of the University of Montana, the Faculty Senate hereby gratefully
acknowledges Bill McBroom’s thirty-five years of distinguished service to the university and extends its
condolences to his wife, Gretchen, and his sons, Douglas and Sean.