Spright Dowell

Spright Dowell (January 2, 1878 – February 24, 1963) was the President of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University, from 1920 to 1927, and of Mercer University from 1928 to 1953.^[1]

Spright Dowell
Dowell pictured in The Glomerata 1921, Auburn yearbook
President of Auburn University
In office 1920–1927
Preceded by	Charles Coleman Thach
Succeeded by	Bradford Knapp
Personal details
Born	(1878-01-02)January 2, 1878 Cary, North Carolina
Died	February 24, 1963(1963-02-24) (aged 85) Macon, Georgia

Biography

Spright Dowell was born in Cary, North Carolina on January 2, 1878.^[2] In 1896, he graduated from Wake Forest College.^[3] He attended the Southern University of Tennessee, and received an M.A. from Columbia University in 1911.^[2] He taught and worked as a school principal in Alabama and North Carolina.^[2] From 1913 to 1919, he worked for the Alabama Department of Education, as chief clerk, director of teacher training, and superintendent of education.^[2]

From 1920 to 1927, he was the President of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University.^[2] From 1928 to 1953, he was President of Mercer University.^[2] In 1949 and 1950, he was President of the Georgia Baptist Convention.^[2] He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Southern Baptist Education Commission, and became its Chairman in 1953.^[2]

Bibliography

• Columbus Roberts, Christian Steward Extraordinary
• A History of Mercer University, 1833-1953