ERSKINE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS

E. E. PRESSLY, D.D. (1839-47) Instrumental in location of college in Due West as pastor of local Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (1830-60); first class graduated, 1842; college moved to current campus and Main Building constructed, 1843.

ROBERT CALVIN GRIER, D.D. (1847-59, 1865-71) Enrollment increased from 65 to 110. Charter received from State of South Carolina (1850), permanent endowment increased from $5,000 to $70,000, Lindsay Hall, including observatory, built, all during first administration; Erskine reopened and plan initiated to rebuild lost permanent endowment during second administration following Civil War.

EDMUND LEWIS PATTON, LL.D. (1859-61) Presidency cut short when Civil War suspended Erskine classes; brilliant classical scholar later taught at Erskine.

WILLIAM MOFFATT GRIER, D.D., LL.D. (1871-99) Chairs established in English Literature and Physical Science; endowment increased to over $80,000; coeducation introduced; Erskine Building and College Home, first dormitory, constructed.

FRANCIS YOUNG PRESSLY, D.D. (1899-1907) Wylie Home for women constructed and filled; Dr. Pressly later presdient of Erskine Seminary from 1907-33.

JAMES STRONG MOFFATT, D.D. ((1907-21) $100,000 added to permanent endowment; curriculum widened; faculty salaries increased; Euphemian Hall rebuilt.

ROBERT CALVIN GRIER II, D.D., LL.D., L.H.D. (1921-54) Accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1925); consolidation of Erskine College, Erskine Seminary, and Due West Woman's College (1929); Alumni Gymnasium, McQuiston Divinity Hall, McGee Gymnasium, President's Home, McCain Library, Reid Science Hall constructed; Living Endowment inaugurated.

JOAB MAULDIN LESESNE, Ph.D., LL.D., Litt.D. (1954-66) 1954 Synod Campaign, 1963-64 Anniversary Fund Campaign added Grier, Pressly and Kennedy dormitories. Erskine Dining Hall, and Watkins Student Center to campus; permanent endowment doubled to more than $1 million; enrollment increased from 300 to 700 students; Living Endowment revitalized.

JOSEPH WIGHTMAN, Ph.D. (1966-73) Belk Hall and Bonner Hall constructed; McCain Library and Erskine Dining Hall expanded; 4-1-4 academic calendar introduced; soccer and golf added to athletic program; campus mall built; permanent endowment doubled.

MELVIN STANYARNE BELL, M.Div. (1973-81) $13.45 million "Greater Distinction for Erskine" Campaign launched, with over $9 million committed to overall campaign by 1980; new P.E. Complex scheduled for opening in 1981; Younts Infirmary built; endowment fund passed $4 million; scholarship funds greatly increased; percentage of faculty with earned doctorates over 60 percent.

WILLIAM BRUCE EZELL, JR. Ph.D., D. Litt. (1981-89) Completed $13.5 million "Greater Distinction for Erskine" Capital Funds Campaign with more than $15 million raised; removed all indebtedness on dormitories and dining hall; construction completed on $1.2 million Bowie Divinity Hall; Founders Room, Private Dining Hall, renovated; McClain Media Center constructed; Younts Chair of Bible established.

JAMES W. STROBEL, Ph.D. (1990-98) Endowment doubled to $25 million, all debt removed; completed $33 million Campaign for Erskine; more curriculum opportunities introduced than at any other time in the history of the college; seminary enrollment increased to record 365 students; off-campus seminary programs started; Bowie Arts Center constructed; construction begun on $7.4 million science facility.

John Little Carson, Ph.D. (1998- )