Blake Ragsdale Van Leer (August 16, 1893 – January 23, 1956) was an engineer and university professor who served as the fifth president of Georgia Institute of Technology from 1944 until his death in 1956.

During World War I, he led engineering teams who built bridges in front of the main infantry to cross rivers and fought in 5 different battles.

[8] During the Great Depression alongside educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, he lobbied for federal funding for Florida institutions.

[14] Around 1940, with the permission of Dean Harrelson, Van Leer gave half his time to the North Carolina Office for Defense orders.

[1] In 1945 Blake was appointed to the Board of the United States Naval Academy by President Harry S. Truman and helped expand its curriculum.

[19] Faculty member Robert B. Wallace was quoted "as saying Van Leer was a fighter who battled to the bitter end for what he believed," a trait he would show very clearly in late 1955.

[21] In 1946 Van Leer was appointed as a member to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization who had a focus to work against racism through influential statements on race.

[24] Leading up to the game, Griffin sent numerous telegrams to Tech's Board of Regents and the press saying Georgia should not engage in racially integrated events which had Blacks either as participants or in the stands.

Four years after his death in January 1956, an overwhelming majority of the 2,741 students present voted to endorse the integration of qualified applicants, regardless of race.

Van Leer's daughter Maryly V. Peck also became a college president and women's rights advocate after earning her master's degree and Doctorate in engineering.

[36] His youngest son Samuel Van Leer graduated from Georgia Tech with two engineering degrees, later a masters and led several private schools.

[37] Sam was quoted stating his dad "could imagine a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech being anyone, he did not concern himself with race or gender, he was always progressive.