Both of his parents were educators and Mennonites who could trace their family roots back to the founding of Pennsylvania by William Penn.
[5] That same year he received a postdoctoral fellowship that let him research his specialties, fats and oils, in England, Germany and Canada.
[3] In 1955, Longenecker was hired by the University of Illinois to lead its Chicago colleges of dentistry, medicine and pharmacy; its school of nursing; and its 620-bed hospital.
He was also on the National Research Council's food and nutrition board[5] Longenecker was named President of Tulane University in 1960.
The Canal Street Hotel was converted to a residence hall, a primate center was established near Covington, and research laboratories built near Belle Chasse.
His family moved into a fifteen thousand square foot house that had been donated to the university for use as the president's home.
[9] The home at the corner of Audubon Place and St. Charles Avenue, would become a frequent protest site for anti-war activists who would often heckle Longenecker at ceremonies.
[10] He started the Longenecker Award, named for his wife, to recognize women for long-time contributions to the Tulane University.
In 1977 Pope Paul VI awarded Longenecker the Benemerenti Medal to honor his extensive public service.