William Fleming became an associate professor of Fine Arts at Syracuse University in 1945. Feeling that the Humanities program at SU did not sufficiently serve the needs of a growing Fine Arts program, Fleming founded the Department of Fine Arts in 1947 and became its first chairman. He held this position until 1969. It was during this time that William Fleming authored ARTS and IDEAS. First published in 1955, this work served as the synthesis of music and art that Fleming had been so desperately seeking. In 1970, Fleming was named Centennial Professor of Fine Arts, for his outstanding leadership and contributions to his field. Upon his retirement from Syracuse University in 1975, he was named Centennial Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts.