On This Day In Alabama History: Charles Smith Becomes President Of Troy College

Alabama News Center | March 15, 2019 @ 5:00 am

By Alabama NewsCenter Staff

Charles Bunyan Smith was named president of State Teachers College at Troy, signaling a change in direction for the institution that is now known as Troy University. Smith was an alumnus of Troy’s post-secondary school, graduating in 1917. He did graduate work at Peabody College, Duke University and the Teachers College at Columbia University. Consistent with those schools’ emphasis on preparing students for America’s then industrializing economy, Smith brought to Troy a focus on practical education. Also, during Smith’s tenure, the name of the school was changed to Troy State College and master’s degrees began to be offered. Smith retired in 1961 and was succeeded by Frank Ross Stewart.

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