Willard Ticknor Daetsch joined Ithaca College in 1965 as an assistant professor of German, and was promoted to associate professor and tenured in 1975. He was awarded emeritus status by the college in 2005.
During his tenure at IC, Willard accomplished many things. He was the founding director of the Center for Individual and Interdisciplinary Studies, which contributed to the early development of the London Center as well as such innovative programs as women’s studies, social work, and planned studies. Willard was a strong promoter of the use of technology in language teaching, and founded the college’s Technology Interest Group; developed software for German instruction; and presented papers on the topic at national and international conferences. His service to the college included chairing Faculty Council, and he was one of the first two faculty members elected to the Board of Trustees.
Despite having officially retired in 1995, Willard remained a regular presence on campus. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, he was active as a member of the Veterans Day Celebration Committee and attended the event every year, wearing his uniform and teaching younger generations about his era of military service.
For his numerous contributions to the larger Ithaca community, he was recognized with the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Ithaca-Cayuga Rotary Club as well as the Senior Citizen of the Year award from the Tompkins County Office for the Aging.
Willard lived a long time with cancer, and he was very active with the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life.