War the same year. In this appointment, he participated in the Carolina Maneuvers in the autumn of 1941 as the coordinator for the North Carolina exercises, spending two weeks on active duty. With the outbreak of war, Harrelson was appointed chairman of the N.C. State Council of Civilian Defense. On February 25, 1943, Harrelson was recalled to permanent active duty, becoming the first head of a major Southern college to be so assigned. Effective March 8, he was assigned to the training section of the Fourth Service Command, helping to manage military training programs in U.S. colleges and universities. In his absence during World War II, regular university affairs were administered by the faculty council. His title was changed to "Chancellor" in 1945. Harrelson oversaw the establishment of the School of Design and the School of Forestry. Harrelson retired from office in 1953 and became the college archivist. He left a $100,000 endowment to NC State for art purchases and a lecture series. In 1954, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering. On the evening of Saturday, 12 March 1955, Harrelson was scheduled to give the main address, "Recollections of D.H. Hill," at the dedication of the new D.H. Hill Library building. Shortly after 8 p.m., he rose from his seat and stepped up to a microphone and podium in front of the circulation desk. Harrelson then began speaking, but before he could finish his first sentence, he suddenly collapsed to the floor, knocking over the microphone as he fell. He was rushed to Rex Hospital and placed under an oxygen tent, but was pronounced dead from a cerebral haemorrhage at 10:10 p.m. Harrelson died two months before his 70th birthday. In his will, he left bequests to purchase outstanding mathematics works for the library, for a distinguished lecture series and for purchasing artworks for campus buildings including the library and student union. Legacy In 2003, Harrelson was posthumously inducted into the Theta Tau Alumni Hall of Fame. In 1961, Harrelson Hall, a classroom building on the university's Main Campus housing mathematics and languages courses, was named after Harrelson. Notable for its unique cylindrical design, the building remained in use until 2015, shortly before its deconstruction in 2016. NCSU Libraries Special Collections Research Center currently houses John William Harrelson's manuscript papers and university archives. References External links Honorary Degrees Conferred Crotts, Harrelson Inducted into Theta Tau 2003