Wilhelm Lagus worked as the vice rector and rector of the university for nine years. This was during a historically eventful period in Finland, when there was a change of tsars in Russia and the funerals of Elias Lönnrot and J. V. Snellman. Lagus organised and participated in various events at least once a year. In addition to the academic celebrations which occurred in Finland, Lagus also represented the university in Moscow, where he celebrated the coronation of the imperial couple, and St. Petersburg, which was the stage for Nicholas II’s coming of age ceremony. Lagus is remembered as the ‘festival organiser’.

As a rector, Lagus took the Imperial Alexander University in an international direction by keeping in touch with universities outside Finland. He did this by communicating in the corridors as well as by letter. Lagus went to foreign universities for anniversary ceremonies and participated in scientific congresses.

Thanks to his work with the Russian court in particular, the university has been able to expand and remain a relatively independent institution. Wilhelm Lagus was conferred a peerage in 1880 and three years later he received the honour of the Council of the State.