Joseph Stubbs, 1894 - 1914
Stubbs, from Ohio, had received his training at Ohio Wesleyan University, specializing in Greek and Latin Studies. He was president at Baldwin University when he was selected president, and took over an institution that had seen six principals and two presidents in 20 years. Over his 20-year tenure, Stubbs would provide stability, vision and a missionary-like zeal in relating the value of the University to the community. In 1894, the University had five buildings; by 1900, there were 11, including two student dormitories and a gymnasium. He encouraged the establishment of more high schools in the state to ensure the University’s students were well-prepared for the rigors of higher education.
He stressed the value of extension work, and was the first president to take the University’s resources into rural ÁùºÏ±¦µä. He was the first University president to actively take a stand on the moral issues of the day, stressing “ethical values” in his speeches. When he died unexpectedly in office in 1914, the University had 41 members of its instructional faculty, had implemented summer school for the state’s teachers, opened a new library building with 27,000 volumes, and was considered the best location in the state of ÁùºÏ±¦µä to process scientific and technical information.