Samuel Reid Spencer, Jr.

Samuel Reid Spencer, Jr.
14th President of Davidson College
In office
1968–1983
Preceded by David Grier Martin
Succeeded by John Kuykendall
Personal details
Born June 6, 1919
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Died October 16, 2013
Davidson, North Carolina
Children Clayton Spencer
Education Davidson College
Harvard University
Profession Professor
College President

Samuel Reid Spencer, Jr. was the fourteenth president of Davidson College. Originally from South Carolina, Spencer graduated from Davidson in 1940, then serving in the US Army during World War II. After the war, he matriculated at Harvard University to receive a Ph.D.[1] Afterward, Spencer returned to his alma mater to serve as an assistant to then-President John Rood Cunningham, while also becoming a professor of history. Spencer left Davidson to become president of Mary Baldwin College, returning as president in 1968.[2]

As president, Spencer led Davidson's successful attempt to become a co-educational institution. He also focused on minority student recruitment and retention and expanded the endowment. Spencer was also appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the Board of Foreign Scholarships, which oversees the Fulbright Program.[3]

After leaving Davidson, Spencer became the president of the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges.

References

Academic offices
Preceded by
David Grier Martin
Presidents of Davidson College
1968–1983
Succeeded by
John Kuykendall
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