Solomon Katz papers, 1921-1994

A professor and administrator at the University of Washington, Solomon Katz became well known for his leadership in Seattle's civic and cultural organizations. In the 1960s non-profit groups started recruiting Katz because as an administrator he could provide them with a link to the University. Soon, however, his effective leadership on boards and committees became well known, prompting many organizations to seek him for his leadership. During the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Katz rarely turned down invitations to serve on non-profit boards and proved himself to be a strong leader for many of these local organizations, making him an influential person in Seattle's philanthropic and arts communities.

Born in 1909 in Buffalo, New York, to Austrian Jewish immigrants, Katz went to Cornell University where he earned his B.A. and later a Ph.D. in ancient history. After finishing his doctorate in the early years of the Great Depression, he accepted a job teaching Greek at the University of Oregon, then came to the University of Washington's history department in 1936 to teach Roman, Byzantine, and medieval history.

Katz's studies took him to Europe and the Middle East in the 1930s. There he not only advanced his scholarly research in Byzantine history, but also experienced a political awakening after seeing the Nazi's treatment of Jews. This experience led him to serve in the Army Air Force Intelligence in World War II, where he became a major, earned a bronze star, and then returned to UW after the war.

In the mid 1950s Katz became more involved in the university's internal affairs. In 1954 he became chair of the history department, then in 1955 led the Faculty Senate to take a stand on academic freedom. In that year the physics department and Walker-Ames lecture series invited Robert Oppenheimer to visit the campus and deliver a series of lectures. President Henry Schmitz rejected the proposal because he feared the political repercussions from associating the University with Oppenheimer, who had just lost his national security clearance because of alleged Communist ties. Katz delivered a speech to the Faculty Senate condemning Schmitz, leading to a 56-40 Senate vote opposing the president's action. This became a focus of an ongoing national debate over academic freedom and led many scholars to boycott the University, including some who had already committed to delivering lectures.

In 1958 president Charles Odegaard appointed Katz to chair the Committee on the Freshman Year. This committee had a broad mandate to examine admission standards, the curriculum, and even the identity of the university. Its final report led to significant changes, including an end to each college having its own admission standards.

Impressed by Katz's work on that committee, Odegaard named Katz Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1960. Once in this high profile position, many local philanthropic organizations sought him out as a way to form a link with the University, but soon his leadership ability became well known, bringing him more and more invitations to serve on boards and committees. Katz usually obliged these requests and was reputed to follow through completely on all of his commitments.

Katz continued his career in administration when in 1965 he became Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. After this appointment he took on an even higher profile and served in a major role for many local organizations. In 1967, he joined the Board of Trustees of the Patrons of Northwest Civic, Cultural, and Charitable Organizations (PONCHO), an organization that raised funds for local cultural organizations. In the same year he also joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre Board of Trustees and later, from 1976 to 1979, served as its president.

In the early 1970s Katz continued to join organizations that would become major commitments for the rest of his life. In 1971 he joined the Lakeside School Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Haas Foundation, an organization that gave money to middle and high school counselors to spend on schoolchildren's everyday needs. His commitment to the Haas Foundation increased in 1988 when he became its president. In 1973 Katz joined the Seattle Art Museum Board of Trustees. In addition to his role on the Board, Katz chaired the search committee for a new director in 1978 and chaired the Architects Selection Committee when the museum was planning to relocate to a new facility in the early 1980s.

Katz remained Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs until he retired from administration in 1975 and returned to his role as a full-time professor in the history department. During these four years as a full-time professor he continued to increase his commitment to local civic organizations as he began serving on the Seattle Arts Commission and the Seattle Center Advisory Commission.

In 1979 Katz retired but remained active on campus as the University Historian and Provost and Professor Emeritus. He also continued his commitment to serving many civic and cultural organizations up until his death in December of 1989.