Final answer:
Herman B. Wells is mourned as a great loss due to the impactful legacy he would have left, akin to other influential figures who advanced civil rights and education, setting a precedent for academic and social excellence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The loss of Herman B. Wells is considered a great loss to the university because he was an icon of progress and development, especially in the realm of education and civil rights. Significant figures like Wells often leave behind frameworks for racial equality, academic excellence, innovation, and unparalleled dedication, which contribute profoundly to the institution's legacy and the broader educational landscape. Figures such as Medgar Evers, whose relentless civil rights work in the face of severe discrimination, Willis, who overcame racism to deliver substantial academic contributions, and Henry Norris Russell, whose astronomical achievements set new academic standards, all represent a caliber of study and civil commitment that someone like Wells would symbolize for a university.