"Merle Kling was one of the greats of Washington University." --Chancellor William Danforth
The son of a shopkeeper who placed great emphasis on the value of education, Merle Kling was born in Poland in 1919. When he was two, his family moved to St. Louis. He was a three-time graduate of Washington University, where he earned his bachelor's (1940), master's (1941) and doctoral (1949) degrees, all in political science.
Dr. Kling joined the WUSTL faculty in 1946 as a lecturer in political science. Soon after his arrival, he advanced to instructor and was named assistant professor in 1950, associate professor in 1954, and full professor in 1961. He twice served as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, from 1966-69 and 1973-76, when he assumed the position of provost. In 1980, he received the additional title of executive vice chancellor.
In May of 1983, Dr. Kling retired from Washington University and subsequently was awarded an honorary degree at commencement ceremonies. The Merle Kling Professorship in Modern Letters was established that same year in honor of his service to the University.
Dr. Kling passed away in May of 2008 at the age of 89. In October of 2009, we were honored to remember Dr. Kling through the official renaming of the Undergraduate Honors Fellowship to the Merle Kling Undergraduate Honors Fellowship.
In the words of Dr. William Danforth, former Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis and long time friend of Dr. Kling, "He was a wonderful teacher who had a lasting effect on his students. In every role, his insights, his clarity of mind, and his wisdom guided his colleagues and students. His balance and good sense protected both academic freedom and academic quality through the late 1960s and early seventies and kept Washington University a humane and decent place. More than any other person, he taught me what a university is and how we could all join in making it better."
Adapted from the Washington University Record, May 23, 2008
"The Mellon Mays Programs has been one of my most impactful experiences at WashU. Not only was I given the guidance and support to conduct a two-year independent research project, but the relationships I have formed with my mentor have led me to definitely pursue a career in academia."
