- Served as vice-president under S
pright Dowell from 1946-1953
- Built during his presidency:
- a student center (now Connell Student Center)
- the humanities building (now Knight Hall)
- an annex to Porter dormitory (Boone & Dowell Halls)
- and six faculty homes (located where the School of Music now sits)
- Added $1.5M to the endowment
- Feared that Mercer "would be consigned to mediocrity" unless Baptists met the challenge and decided "to attempt the job of quality education"
- Quick bio: (1905-1959); A.B., A.M., LL.D.; spouse: Doris Collier (1929)
Connell once said:
"I don't know exactly what it is in Mercer that makes everyone who comes here love it, but I know it is so. They love this institution, and they can be called upon to promote the institution's welfare."
pright Dowell from 1946-1953