|
Birth: Date
Unknown in Medford, New Jersey
Death: Unknown
Educational Background: Brown University; M.A.,
Bucknell University
Teaching Experience: Professor, Bucknell
University, 1928-1934
Administrative Experience: President, Keystone College,
1935-1945
Key events/accomplishments during administration: Planning for the construction
of Hickok Hall; Fundraising for Sinclair Memorial Chapel re-buidling;
Coe establishes Phi Beta Kappa Chapter
"President Hollinshead Resigns" from the Coe
College Courier, August 1950, Vol. 50, No. 8
The
resignation of President Byron S. Hollinshead has been accepted by the
Coe board of trustees. In announcing his resignation, to become
effective not after Jan. 1, 1951, Dr. Hollinshead pointed out that to
those closely associated with him "it has been no secret that I have
long wished to escape the weight of responsibility and the physical
demands made by this college presidency."
"About
a year ago I asked the board to select a vice-president who might
possibly succeed me as president of Coe. We now have a
vice-president. I have therefore asked the board to release
me. As soon as my work here is concluded I expect to take a long
vacation for I am very tired. Sometime next spring or summer I
shall locate to another section of the country. I have been a
college president for 16 years, and a college administrator or teacher
for 22. Only those who have done comparable work in the field of
education over a similiar period can appreciate what that means."
"One regret at leaving now that I will not be here through the Coe
centennial. However, much of the centennial planning will have
been completed by early fall. My going, under those
circumstances, will be no great handicap to those who carry on the
work."
"On
the other hand, our friends will fully understand that an important
phase of the work here has been completed, and that to stay longer
would be contrary to plans we have been anxious to carry out for some
time."
When
Mr. Hollinshead's resignation was announced on July 11, Arthur Poe,
chairman of the board of trustees, declared that the college was
fortunate to have had Dr. Hollinshead.
"He
has served the institution faithfully and well," Poe declared, "and he
will be missed by all of us who have a deep interest in the college."
"For
five years we have made heavy demands on President Hollinshead's
energy. When he arrived to take over his duties here the college
was inadequately housed as regards classrooms, our resources were not
the best."
"G.I.’s
were returning to tax the capacities of the faculty, staff, and
physical plant. There were other problems of a pressing nature,
not the least of which was the destruction of the Sinclair Memorial
chapel by fire in 1947."
Major
Problems Solved
"Now,
five years later, the skies at Coe are reasonably clear. Major
problems have been largely solved. Hickok Hall, the new classroom
building, will be dedicated this fall; work has begun on the new
chapel, plans have been drawn for the new Memorial Union."
"As
the figures stand today, a substantial increase in the freshman
enrollment is indicated. Athletic prospects are better than they
have been for several years. We have been honored being awarded a
chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a tremendously important asset
educationally."
"President
Hollinshead has every right to look with great pride on what has been
accomplished during his tenure. We are fortunate to have had him
as long as we have."
Praises
Presidential Record
Community
regret over Dr. Hollinshead's action was expressed promptly in a Cedar
Rapids Gazette editorial, citing the "youthful and dynamic spirit he
has injected into the institution and has managed to maintain."
"It
attests also to the breakneck pace of the postwar years which have
pelted Coe, along with most other liberal arts colleges of its class,
with a steady barrage of difficult problems."
"It
has seemed to us that President Hollinshead has faced and met those
problems in an unusually capable manner."
"It
is our impression that during the period of his administration despite
the obstacles that have plagued institutions of higher learning
generally, the caliber of both the student body and the faculty at Coe
has been raised appreciably."
“We
feel sure that he will make his mark in whatever he undertakes and that
a great deal more will be heard of him in the future.”
Born
at Medford, New Jersey, Dr. Hollinshead was graduated from Brown
university and received his master of arts degree from Bucknell
university. He holds the honorary doctor of laws from Grinnell.
From
1928 to 1934 he was a member of the Bucknell faculty. He served
as president of Keystone college in La Plume, PA, from 1935 to 1945
when he came to Coe. He has also served as visiting professor at
the University of California and at Harvard University.
Prominent
Educator
In
1934 he was given a leave of absence from Keystone to serve as the only
full-time member of the Harvard University committee on "The Objectives
of a General Education in a Free Society," a report which has had wide
influence in educational circles.
During
his presidency at Keystone, Dr. Hollinshead also served as consultant
on the Rockefeller General Education Board of New York, and has been a
member of the American Council on Education committee on Relationships
between Higher Education and the Federal Government.
Recognized
as a champion for the small liberal college, Dr. Hollinshead has
written widely in the educational field, holds membership in Sigma Tau
Delta, Pi Delta Epsilon, Phi Kappa Phi and Delta Upsilon.
|
