William H. Seaman Papers

William Harlow Seaman, fondly known as Bill by all, made a concrete and lasting contribution to the quality of college life at Oberlin. His predominate interest in people surcharged his twenty years of service to his alma mater, the students he recruited and nurtured on campus, the alumni and Oberlin townspeople.

He was born in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, on July 12, 1902, the son of Gustave William Seaman and Elinore Netta Jones (O.C. 1898). After completing his public school education in Pennsylvania, he entered Oberlin College in 1920, graduating in 1924 after a busy collegiate career. He was elected president of his freshman class, sang in the Men's Glee Club, edited the Hi-O-Hi his senior year, sang in the First Church choir, and was active in YMCA activities. As a senior, he chaired the Student Endowment Fund Drive.

In 1925 Bill received a graduate school fellowship from the National Council of Religion in Higher Education and studied for a year at Union Theological Seminary in New York, pursuing his special interests in Psychology and Philosophy of Religion. He then entered Columbia University Teachers College, earning a Masters degree in 1927. He married Francis Fenn (O.C. Conservatory 1925, Assistant to Dean of Women, 1948-50; Asst. Dean of Women, 1950-57, at Oberlin College) in June 1925. Bill began his professional career in the Brooklyn/Queens area of New York City where he surveyed employed personnel and the religion and social work programs of the local YMCAs.

Bill and Francis moved back to Oberlin in 1928. Bill became the first Director of the Oberlin College Admissions Office, a position in which he served continuously until 1948. Ten years later (1938) he received an additional appointment as Director of the Bureau of Appointments. Again in 1943, he assumed more responsibility, serving as acting Alumni Secretary to fill a wartime vacancy until 1948.

Campus activities and participation filled his life. He was a member of he Prudential Committee, served on the Shansi Memorial Association Board of Trustees, and the YMCA Advisory Board. Admissions work involved frequent travel several weeks of the year. He was responsible for innovations in student recruitment such as high school visitations and freshman scholarship programs. His yearly talks to Senior Assemblies and to the Freshman class were popular and enthusiastically received. His articles written for the Oberlin Alumni Magazine were frequent and informative communiqués with the wider Oberlin family he so ably involved in participating in his campus responsibilities. Other articles, illustrated pamphlets and handbooks, were published by the college under his planning and supervision.

Bill Seaman was a much loved, admired, and respected man. He seemed to understand people with whom he worked and even mere acquaintances felt his warm personality and interest in them. He and Fran were a team; they based their lives on others, always offering hospitality and friendship to others. Students sought their advice; they were friendly, interested listeners to students, parents, and alumni.

Seaman instituted innovative admissions practices, some of which remain in place today. In 1930, he worked to provide the first non-athletic scholarships for first years.

Bill Seaman ended his life on March 19, 1948. He was survived by his family and community, including his children, Shirley Elizabeth (O.C. 1954) and Richard Fenn (O.C. 1955; Director of O.C. Development Office, 1967-71).

Tributes and condolences poured into their home and the campus expressing eloquently the high esteem and affection with which he was regarded.

Sources Consulted

Faculty file of William H. Seaman (RG 28/3), and the papers of William H. Seaman (RG 30/235).

"Remembering a Campus Legend," Oberlin Alumni Magazine, 99, no. 2 (Fall 2003). https://www2.oberlin.edu/alummag/fall2003/ats_06.html.