Charles Franklin Phillips

Charles Franklin Phillips
4th President of Bates College
In office
March 1, 1944 (1944-03-01) – November 1, 1967 (1967-11-01)
Preceded by Clifton Daggett Gray
Succeeded by Thomas Hedley Reynolds
Personal details
Born May 25, 1910
Nelson, Pennsylvania
Died March 3, 1998
Auburn, Maine
Alma mater Colgate University
Harvard University Ph.D
Profession Economist, Academic

Charles Franklin Phillips was the fourth president of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and a well known economist and author.[1] He was the youngest president of Bates College at the time, at the age of 34. He donated $9 million to Bates College, which is widely considered to be the largest bequest by an American college president to a college that he did not attend. He left the college with a student body of 1,004 and an endowment of $7 million.[2]

He was integral to the entrepreneurial spirit of Bates and its graduates by suggesting they not join a large business, but start their own. Asserting that American economic and political systems thrive on competition, Phillips applied this theory to Bates and its student body.

Early life and career

Phillips was born in Pennsylvania. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in economics from Colgate University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Phillips then went on to teach, research, and write as an economics professor at Colgate. He was also deputy administrator in the United States Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supplies.

He was a full professor at Colgate and a leading economist before coming to Bates.

At age 34 Phillips became the fourth president of Bates College.[3] Phillips served from 1944 to 1967. As president, Phillips initiated the core study program and 3/4 option allowing students to graduate in three years. He also initiated the study abroad program, oversaw the construction of many new buildings at Bates, and had the college's observatory demolished. He is known for initiating the Bates academic program of Education, championing the most traditional strength of the Bates: the liberal arts which featured a core curriculum of liberal arts. He also championed "3/4 option,” permitting a three-year degree from Bates. Phillips expanded the campus with the additions of Memorial Commons, Health Center, Dana Chemistry Hall, Lane Hall, Page Hall, Schaeffer Theater and others.[4]

Legacy

When Phillips died, he and his wife, Evelyn, left $9,000,000 to Bates. This bequest was used to fund the Phillips Fellowships, which are granted to students for research abroad. Phillip's donation is believed to be the largest bequest by an American college president to a college that he did not attend.[5]

Publications

  1. The Regulation of Public Utilities: Theory and Practice
  2. Retailing: Principles and Methods

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/15/nyregion/charles-f-phillips-87-president-of-bates-college-for-23-years.html
  2. ↑ "Charles F. Phillips | 150 Years | Bates College". www.bates.edu. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  3. ↑ http://www.bates.edu/past-presidents/bates-college-presidents/charles-franklin-phillips/
  4. ↑ "Charles F. Phillips | 150 Years | Bates College". www.bates.edu. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  5. ↑ "Charles F. Phillips | 150 Years | Bates College". www.bates.edu. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
Educational offices
Preceded by
Clifton Daggett Gray		 President of Bates College
1944-1967 		Succeeded by
Thomas Hedley Reynolds
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