Torrence, William D.
Biography
Torrence was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on July 10,1922, and moved with his family to the United States as a young boy. He eventually earned three degrees from NU, a bachelor's in journalism (1953), a master's in sociology (1954) and a doctorate in business administration (1962). He was a member of honorary scholastic societies in all three disciplines.
Except for three years as an industrial relations administrator for the Marathon Corp. in Wisconsin (1954-57), Torrence spent his entire professional career at NU. He was as an instructor of business organization and management while he pursued his doctorate from 1957 to 1962. He was appointed assistant professor of management in 1962 and rose quickly in the academic ranks in the College of Business Administration. He was promoted to associate professor in 1964 and professor in 1966. In 1970, he was named Carl A. Happold regents professor of management and in 1989 the NU board of regents designated him George Holmes distinguished professor of management. He retired at the end of the 1991-92 academic year.
Torrence received the CBA Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1991 and the next year was honored by the UNL Parents Association with a Recognition Award for contributions to students. The NU Foundation gave him its Distinguished Teaching Award in 1969 and in 1993 he was the first recipient of the CBA Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty award.
A specialist in labor issues, Torrence delivered lectures and papers all over the world and was published widely in national and international research journals. Much of his work was written in French, a language he picked up as a U.S. Army infantry staff sergeant in France and Belgium at the end of World War II.
He served as an advisor to several public utilities, state agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. He received an Official Commendation from NATO in 1977 for outstanding professional contributions.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
William D. Torrence, Business Organization and Management Papers
The collection consists of William D. Torrence's publications as well as biographical information and news clippings. Information is included about his career, conferences he attended, and his speaking engagements.
