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The Presidents of Trinity University |
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Beeson (1869-1882) | McKleskey
(1883-1885) | Johnson
(1885-1888 & 1896-1900) | Dickens
(1888-1890) | Cockrill
(1890-1896) | Anderson
(1901-1902) | Kirkes
(1902-1904) | Turner
(1904-1906) | Hornbeak
(1907-1921 & 1933-1934) | Burma
(1921-1933) | Leach
(1934-1937) | Wear
(1937-1942) | Everett
(1942-1950) | Thomas
(1950-1951 & 1976-1979) | Laurie
(1951-1970) | Wimpress
(1970-1976) | Calgaard
(1979-1999) | Brazil
(1999-)
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DR. WILLIAM E. BEESON, D.D.
(1869-1882)
First president of Trinity University founded in Tehuacana by the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church from the assets of three antebellum colleges: Ewing (in
La Grange), Larissa (in Cherokee County) and Chapel Hill (in Daingerfield.)
Dr. Beeson, a professor of Mental and Moral Science as well as Theology and
President of Chapel Hill College before the Civil War, participated as a
Confederate soldier in the Battle of Shiloh.
During the Beeson presidency, the first unit of the administrative/classroom
building was erected. Students established several literary societies that
continued activities into the Waxahachie years.
Beeson held the first chair of the Theological Department. One of his students
described him as a "a short, stout man, with stubby whiskers covering
his face, a gleaming eye, a firm, quick step," and "somewhat careless
in dress." Despite these eccentricities, people respected him as a kind-hearted,
fearless, and independent administrator and teacher. A memorable Beeson quotation
about Trinity University: "The discipline will be strict but parental."
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THE REVEREND BENJAMIN G. MCKLESKEY, D.D.
(1883-1885)
Second president of Trinity University. Rev.
McKleskey also served as pastor of the Tehuacana Cumberland Presbyterian
Church along with his presidential duties. He initiated the building
of additional wings on the original administrative/classroom building
that were not completed until 1893. McKleskey, also remembered
for establishing the first campus newspaper, died while serving
in office.
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THE REVEREND LUTHER APELLES JOHNSON, A.M.
(1885-1888 & 1896-1900)
Member of the faculty and third president of
Trinity University, Luther A. Johnson became the first Trinity
University graduate to serve as President of the University. Rev.
Johnson is particularly remembered for his efforts to replace out-of-date
textbooks with those reflecting modern scholarship. Trinity was
recognized in its day as one of the first schools in Texas to repudiate
traditional courses and implement new, innovative educational methods.
Johnson played a significant role in the development of the Texas
Public School system. He served as a member on the State Board
of Examiners and as President of the State Teachers' Association.
He also initiated a faculty leave program that allowed Trinity
faculty to study at schools such as the University of Chicago and
Columbia University.
Rev. Johnson was one of the first people to suggest relocating
Trinity to a community where it would "have a place in the educational progress." At
his death at age 44, he had been involved in the life of Trinity University
for 27 years and was long remembered as one of its most beloved leaders.
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THE REVEREND LUNSFORD DICKENS, Ph.D.
(1888-1890)
Fourth president of Trinity University. Dr.
Dickens also taught English and philosophy. During this period,
enrollment increased to 300 and construction continued on the Tehuacana
campus. Rev. Dickens left Trinity for the presidency at Texas Female
Seminary, and was later president of the Bible Institute in Houston.
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THE REVEREND B. D. COCKRILL, A.M.
(1890-1896)
Fifth president of Trinity University. Three
endowed professorships were established during Rev. Cockrill's
term as president. He served as professor of theology and homiletics
as well as pastor of a local Presbyterian congregation. During
this period, students wore required uniforms on all dress occasions.
Chapters of the YMCA and YWCA, the first in Texas, were active
on campus as well. Interest in relocating the University continued
to grow during Cockrill's presidency.
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THE REVEREND JESSE ANDERSON, Ph.D.
(1901-1902)
Member of the faculty and sixth president of
Trinity University, Jesse Anderson received his A.B. and A.M. degress
from Trinity in 1889 and 1890 respectively. In 1890, Dr. Anderson
had been named principal of the preparatory department at the University,
but the following year he became professor of Latin and Greek.
In 1898, he had been made a member of the Board of Trustees and
Treasurer of the University. Two years later he also assumed duties
as chairman of the faculty and served as the University's first
librarian.
Although he opposed the move to Waxahachie, once the decision was made Anderson
urged Trinity University constituents to support the new location. Anderson
said in a private letter that he thought it best for him not to go to Waxahachie
because if the school encountered problems, people might think that it was
due to his opposition to the move. President Anderson was the last president
to serve on the Trinity University Tehuacana campus.
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THE REVEREND LEONIDAS C. KIRKES, A.M.
(1902-1904)
Seventh president of Trinity University, Leonidas
Kirkes received his A.M. degree from Trinity in 1902. After failing
to find an experienced educator who would accept the presidency,
the Board of Trustees offered the position to The Reverend L. C.
Kirkes, pastor of the Third Avenue Cumberland Church in Corsicana,
Texas. After being assured by area ministers and session leaders
throughout the Synod of their support, Rev. Kirkes accepted the
presidency.
In March of 1902, the cornerstone for the new campus was laid in
Waxahachie. President Kirkes gave his primary attention to developing
the physical plant.
He put special effort into raising funds for a women's dormitory which became
Prendergast Hall. Enrollment soared from 165 when the school closed in Tehuacana
to 322 in Waxahachie during Kirkes's administration. He also tried to improve
the endowment and address particularly stressful financial concerns brought
about by the move and several years of devastating drought. But according
to Donald Everett: "Frustrated by futile pursuits and unable to satisfy
patron demands, Kirkes resigned after two years of discouragement, hard work,
and apparent lack of appreciation. On the occasion of his last board meeting
he remarked that if he had his choice between earning his living as president
of Trinity University or by digging mesquite stumps, 'it would have been
awfully hard on the mesquite stumps.'" During these difficult times,
Trinity continued to maintain its academic reputation and President Kirkes,
according to Dr. Everett, deserves much of the credit.
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ARCHELAUS EWING TURNER, Sc.D., LL.D.
(1904-1906)
Eighth president of Trinity University. Dr.
Turner first declined the offer of the presidency due to what he
considered an inadequate salary. He was serving as president of
Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania at the time. The citizens of
Waxahachie and a loyal alumnus offered to increase the offer by
$1200 annually which persuaded him to reconsider.
Dr. Turner was a highly successful, experienced educator and was long remembered
for his warm, enthusiastic personality. He apparently possessed a strong
constitution and vigorous intellect which students, faculty, and townspeople
all found attractive. He recognized early on that his major challenges were
to improve Trinity's financial position and increase enrollment. During his
tenure he recognized the need for a men's dormitory and Beeson Hall was erected.
Drawing on resources in the Dallas area, the number of lecturers and artists
on campus increased significantly as well. Still it is perceived that Dr.
Turner's failure to rectify Trinity's constant financial woes led to his
early resignation in 1907.
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SAMUEL LEE HORNBEAK, Ph.D, LL.D.
(1907-1921 & 1933-1934)
Member of the faculty and ninth president of
Trinity University. Dr. Hornbeak has been called "the grand
old man of Trinity." He served the institution in various
capacities for 41 years. He is the first non-ministerial president
of Trinity University, the only one to serve until Duncan Wimpress.
Dr. Hornbeak viewed himself primarily as a teacher rather than administrator.
Over the years he taught physics, chemistry, sociology, and economics. From
1901 to 1907 he served as Dean of the Faculty. In 1908 he became President
of the University. He is remembered for being especially concerned with the
academic preparation of teachers and concerned about the inadequacy of teacher
pay at Trinity and elsewhere in Texas.
Notable achievements include the construction and dedication of Drane Hall,
considered at the time (1912) the best dormitory in Texas, as well as initiating
the first successful campaigns to develop Trinity's endowment. He was persistent
in his efforts to forge a productive church-school relationship that would
ensure the University's financial stability.
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THE REVEREND JOHN HARMON BURMA, D.D.
(1921-1933)
Tenth president of Trinity University. Dr. Burma,
an Iowa native, came to Texas in 1908 and served as pastor of the
Second Presbyterian Church of Dallas for eight years. He was vice
president of the University of Dubuque, Iowa, when appointed Trinity's
president. He was remembered as a dynamic and influential minister
who rendered invaluable service to the University in the 1914 endowment
campaign. Trinity's enrollment improved dramatically, reaching
more than 600, during his tenure and the financial picture initially
stabilized. However, according to Donald Everett, "collapse
of the stock market and the decline of cotton prices caused a nationwide
slump in college enrollment. Drawing the majority of its students
from an area dependent upon cotton, Trinity suffered from the restrictions
of economic crisis . . . although Trinity barely achieved minimum
requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges, the depression
caught the institution with the largest and best paid faculty in
its history." Faculty took a pay-cut, and vacated positions
were left unfilled for many years. Enrollment dropped to 209 students
by the third year of the Depression. "At the close of 1933,
weary of his role as an 'ecclesiastical beggar,' Burma resigned
as president after 13 years of service."
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RAYMOND HOTCHKISS LEACH, Ph.D
(1934-1937)
Eleventh president of Trinity University. Dr.
Leach, a New York native, graduated from Oberlin College and Stanford
University. He had served as a professor of history as well as
worked in the mission field and for several religious organizations
before coming to Trinity. Like a number of his predecessors, Dr.
Leach tried very hard to establish better relations between the
churches and Trinity to thereby better insure the University's
financial stability and economic independence.
The lack of a men's dormitory forced the University to establish three cooperative
residences. More flexible social regulations were introduced. Recruitment
of students was a significant problem during the Depression years and enrollment
remained low.
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FRANK L. WEAR, D.D.
(1937-1942)
Twelfth president of Trinity University, Frank
Wear received his A.B. degree from Trinity in 1899. Dr. Wear can
be credited with heroic efforts to establish Trinity's financial
security at a most difficult time in the institution's history.
He had worked in many of the Trinity fundraising campaigns in previous
years. He traveled extensively as part of these efforts and was
successful in generating considerable financial support from the
Waxahachie community. As President, Dr. Wear directed funds toward
improving the library that had been sadly neglected for many years.
Low faculty salaries and an inadequate library were the primary
reasons why Trinity was placed on probation by the Southern Association
in 1936. And perhaps most significant of his contributions, President
Wear was a major player in the decision-making that brought Trinity
to San Antonio.
On December 9, 1941, the day after the United States declared war on Japan,
Dr. Wear accepted an invitation from San Antonio businessmen to move Trinity
to San Antonio. Needless to say, the citizens of Waxahachie were not pleased
with this decision. Generally, according to Donald Everett, Texas Presbyterians
felt that a move to San Antonio would improve Trinity's enrollment and financial
prospects. Trinity held its last commencement on the Waxahachie campus in
June 1942. Trinity merged with the University of San Antonio, combining the
assets of the Presbyterian and Methodist colleges on the latter's Woodlawn
Avenue campus, and opened for classes in the fall 1942 semester in San Antonio.
It appears to have been a remarkably smooth transition thanks in large part
to the efforts of President Wear.
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MONROE G. EVERETT, D.D.
(1942-1950)
Thirteenth president of Trinity University.
The first problems President Everett encountered involved organizing
the new University on the new campus with a largely new group of
students and reporting to a new Board of Trustees filled with energetic
San Antonians who were thrilled to have a respected Protestant-affiliated
private college in town. President Everett also faced the loss
of accreditation realized when Trinity merged with the unaccredited
University of San Antonio. Accreditation was again achieved shortly
after the end of the War.
During President Everett's tenure, enrollment increased 700%, with most students
coming from the San Antonio area. With such a dramatic increase in student
population, space became an issue from Trinity's first days in San Antonio.
By the end of Dr. Everett's tenure, the Board of Trustees had acquired land
for a new campus, an abandoned quarry near Brackenridge Park and discussions
were underway with San Antonio architect O'Neil Ford about an innovative
campus design.
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* M. BRUCE THOMAS, Ph.D.
(1950-1951 & 1976-1979)
In 1950, after President Everett’s resignation,
Bruce Thomas served one year as acting president, a role he would
assume again at the beginning of 1977. But on May 12, 1977, the
Board of Trustees issued the following Resolution: "BE IT
RESOLVED that the prefix "Acting" be dropped from the
title assigned Dean Bruce Thomas by the Board of Trustees on January
3, 1977, and that this Body vest in President Thomas full and unqualified
authority to carry out all duties and responsibilities traditionally
associated with the office of chief executive during his assignment." Bruce
Thomas served as Dean of the University and Professor of English
between 1947 and 1975. In 1977 he left retirement to serve 30 months
as the president of Trinity University.
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JAMES W. LAURIE, D.D., M.A.
(1951-1970)
Fourteenth president of Trinity University.
Dr. Laurie's name is synonymous with the "Miracle on the Hill," the
construction of the Trinity University campus. A total of 43 new
buildings were added to the campus during his presidency. In addition,
the University's financial assets grew from $3,000,000 to $75,000,000.
The size of the Library collection doubled, and the number of faculty
with earned doctorates increased from 19% in 1951 to over 60% in
1970. Faculty salaries improved as well over the years.
During Dr. Laurie's administration, Trinity's legal ties with the Synod of
Texas were severed and a new covenant relationship was established, one that
continues with the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to this
day.
Dr. Laurie made an impact in the San Antonio community. His personal style
attracted many business and civic leaders. Much of his rhetoric suggested
that the University was positioned to become an outstanding academic institution
as well as an economic asset to the city. Entrance qualifications were tightened
and College Entrance Examination Board scores were required of all students
during this period. When Dr. Laurie presided over Trinity's 100th anniversary
celebration in 1969, Trinity was a well-established San Antonio institution.
Dr. Laurie is remembered as a forceful and articulate speaker, gifted conversationalist,
and successful fundraiser. While a visionary who always had words to share
on Trinity's bright future, he was grounded in the reality of Trinity's past
that is nearly always overshadowed by the lack of funds needed to carry out
its ambitious academic programs.
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DUNCAN WIMPRESS, Ph.D.
(1970-1976)
Fifteenth president of Trinity University. Dr.
Wimpress was the second layperson, the first being Samuel Hornbeak,
to be elected president. During the Wimpress years, the University
endowment was recognized as among the 35 highest supporting independent
institutions in the country. A substantial amount of debt was retired
as the University, for the first time, surpassed $1,000,000 in
annual philanthropic support. Special endowments to support new
professorial chairs and the library were secured as well. Funds
were received from the federal government to develop the nation's
largest solar energy installation. Faculty involvement in sponsored
research reached $2,000,000 in support with the participation of
40 professors.
The Coates University Center and E. M. Stevens Stadium were building projects
completed during Dr. Wimpress's presidency. Three new departments were established:
Environmental Studies, Computing and Information Sciences, and Journalism,
Broadcasting, Film. The installations of Trinity's Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar
Board chapters recognizing Trinity's strong program in undergraduate liberal
arts education occurred during the Wimpress administration.
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RONALD K. CALGAARD, Ph.D.
(1979-1999)
Sixteenth president of Trinity University. During
the Calgaard era, Trinity rose in prominence as a nationally recognized
institution of undergraduate higher education. Curricular changes
emphasized the liberal arts and sciences. Departments of Art History
and Classical Studies were formed, and Chinese was added to the
list of modern languages. Minority recruitment was particularly
successful during the Calgaard years. Graduating students went
on to professional and graduate schools in record numbers and a
student in 1997 became the University's first Rhodes Scholar.
Major building projects included the Coates Library, the Bell Athletic Center,
Mabee Hall, several dormitories, and major renovations of the Coates Student
Center, Marrs McLean Science Center, George Storch Memorial Library, and
in his final year the Stieren Theater in the Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Building.
Major pieces of sculpture by Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth were added
to the campus grounds. During the Calgaard years, several series of distinguished
speakers were created with support from members of the Board of Trustees.
Public figures, as well as internationally recognized artists and academics,
gave speeches on campus to audiences comprised of Trinity students and faculty
as well as others from the San Antonio community.
Dr. Calgaard will also be long remembered for his successful fund raising
efforts. Of particular note was the Capital Campaign conducted during the
1980's. The Elizabeth Huth Coates Library collection building efforts of
the 1980's catapulted the library into the ranks of those at the best liberal
arts colleges in the country. The library collection grew over 200% in less
than a decade. In addition, a number of distinguished professorships were
established with funds raised by the Campaign. During the Calgaard years,
the endowment increased in value by over 450%.
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JOHN R. BRAZIL, Ph.D.
(1999-)
Dr. Brazil assumed the presidency in June 1999
and was the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees to lead Trinity
into the 21st century. His inauguration will take place on February
12, 2000. Dr. Brazil came to Trinity from Bradley University where
he was president for seven years. Prior to that he was president/chancellor
of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. He earned his A.B.
degree in history at Stanford University and his M. Phil. degree
and Ph.D. in American studies at Yale University. You can learn more
about Dr. Brazil by reading his biography. |
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