 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Anthony Pfau
2002 –
Richard Pfau has served as President of Averett University since July
1, 2002. During Dr. Pfau's tenure at Averett, the University has increased
enrollment, become more diverse, added new academic programs, expanded
the campus, and built a 35,000-square-foot Student Center.
A native of New York, Dr. Pfau earned his Ph.D. from The University of Virginia. He has studied, taught and written about American diplomatic history, nuclear weapons and the modern Middle East. His biography of Virginian Lewis L. Strauss, an important leader in the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear power, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Dr. Pfau served with the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1971. He held faculty positions at Dickinson College and the University of Miami before moving to Emory and Henry College as Dean. For nine years he was President of Illinois College, a church-related residential college of 900 students.
Frank Ross Campbell
1985 – 2002
Averett experienced tremendous growth during Frank Campbell's 17-year
tenure as president. With the building of the North Campus and the Equestrian
Center, Averett's campus expanded from 19 acres to 204 acres. Other additions
included Grousbeck Music Center, the Averett Commons Apartments and the
football facilities. It was also during this time, that Averett launched
its Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program and completed the
transition from a college to a university.
A native of Roanoke, Va., Dr. Campbell holds a doctor of ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his doctor of divinity degree from Wake Forest University. Following his retirement as Averett President, he served as president of Gardner Webb University and remains in Danville as a business and civic leader.
Howard William Lee
1980 – 1979
Howard Lee was a strong community leader known for his positive role
in Danville's civil rights struggles. Prior to becoming Averett's President,
he served as pastor of Danville's West Main Baptist Church and was active
in all aspects of denominational and civic life. His tenure as president
saw the construction of Averett's main academic building, Frith Hall,
dedication of a new athletic field and acquisition of a new president's
home. New programs were added in nursing, fine arts, chemistry, music
and business administration/aviation.
Dr. Lee holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewel College, and master and doctorate degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Conwell Axel Anderson
1966 - 1979
Under Conwell Anderson's leadership, Averett made the vital transformation
from a junior college for women to a coeducational senior college. A
new dormitory, library and fine arts building expanded the physical facilities,
while a new career-oriented curriculum and the addition of an evening
college expanded enrollment. Anderson put in place many important aspects
of the University infrastructure that remain today, including offices
dedicated to fundraising and public relations.
The son of a Wisconsin dairy farmer, Anderson joined the Navy and served his country in World War II, earning a Purple Heart. He later earned a Ph.D. in history from the University of Alabama where he taught before being named academic dean at Mary Hardin-Baylor College in Texas. In 1960, Anderson was tapped as the president of Judson College in Alabama where he served until accepting the Averett presidency in 1966.
Timeline of Averett Presidents and Principals
1854 - 1857 William Isaac Berryman, Principal
1858 - 1863 Nathan Penick, Principal
1860 - 1863 William Allen Tyree, Principal
1863 - 1863 John Cralle Long, Principal
1863 - 1870 Isaac Beverly Lake, Co-Principal
1865 - 1867 Hannon W. Reinhart, Co-Principal
1867 - 1870 Thomas Hume, Jr., Co-Principal
1870 - 1873 John Lipscomb Johnson, Co-Principal
1870 - 1873 Arnaud Eduard Preot, Co-Principal
1872 - 1887 Samuel Wootton Averett, Co-Principal
1873 - 1892 John Taylor Averett, President, 1st
1892 - 1902 Charles Fenton James, President
1903 - 1907 Robert Edwin Hatton, President
1907 - 1914 John Bruce Brewer, President
1914 - 1917 William Walter Rivers, President
1917 - 1921 Clayton Edward Crosland, President
1921 - 1927 James Pressley Craft, President
1927 - 1936 John Walter Cammack, President
1936 - 1966 Curtis Vance Bishop, President
1966 - 1966 Mary Catharine Fugate, Acting President
1966 - 1979 Conwell Axel Anderson, President
1980 - 1985 Howard William Lee, President
1985 - 2002 Frank Ross Campbell, President
2002 - Richard Anthony Pfau, President
