East Carolina University - Buccaneer Tecoan Yearbook (Greenville, NC)

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Robert H. Wright 1 909 - President - 1 934 Dr. Robert H. Wright, a native North Carolinian, guided the developments of the school as its first president. President Wright was a progressive educator and was a man of high ideals and of unusual foresight and courage. Dr. Wright saw the institu- tion become an accredited college, offering both the bachelor ' s and the master ' s degree, and won for it a position of prestige both in and out of the state. . John D. Messick President East Carolina College— 1947- Dr. John D. Messick was appointed president in 1947. As a result of his ten years of capable leader- ship, the college has experienced a period of phenome- nal progress marked by expansion of physical facilities, growth in number of students and staff members, and development of new fields of service to education in the state. Our Leaders Past and Present. Leon R. Meadows 1934-1944 Dr. Leon R. Meadows, a former faculty member, was elected President of the college in 1934 upon the death of Dr. Wright. President Meadows served until 1944 during which time the marked growth of the college continued. H. J. McGinnis 1944-1945 J. McGinnis of the faculty was acting presi- r. Meadows. McGinnis served in 945 when the third president of McGinnis proved to ■eding this capacity the college was appo be a very devoted Dennis H. Cooke Dr. Dennis H. Cooke, now president of High Point College, was appointed president of East Carolina Teachers College in 1945 and served for one year. capable

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Thomas J. Jarvis Governor of North Carolina 1879-1885 Thomas J. Jarvis, an ex-governor of North Carolina and a leading citizen of Greenville, was very instrumental in the establishment of our school. He was active in getting the school bill passed in the legislature; and when opposition was met before the Education Committee, Jarvis was the leader of a strong group of citizens from the eastern part of the state who appeared be- fore the committee to plead for the school. Jarvis and President Wright were very close friends, and Wright, in later years, spoke of Jarvis as the most dependable counselor I have ever had. These two men joined together in one of those rare partnerships in which ideals, faith, and purpose become blended. OUR PURPOSE College is a place; but more than that, it is a tool— a device— for directing the cultural lives of humanity. We are proud of East Carolina College and all its high ideals. Our alumni can rightfully boast of their intellectual and civic accomplishments. Since 1929, the student body has published an annual volume covering the college and its activities. We, on our Golden Anniversary, continue that tradition, giving praise to our predecessors and attempting to further the work which they have begun. As time passes, may East Carolina continue worthy of its beginnings. Luther H. Hodges Governor of North Carolina 1954- Even today, our governors are important in the educational growth of our state. Our present Governor, The Honorable Luther H. Hodges, has shown considerable interest in the development and promotion of educational facilities for the cultural advancement of every young man and young woman engaged in college work in the state of North Carolina. Governor Hodges has visited our campus on numerous occasions. Just this past spring (1957), our graduates were for- tunate in having him as their commencement speaker. To Be Inspired by . . .

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The Vastness