Theodore Sanders Stern (December 25, 1912 – January 18, 2013),Johns Hopkins Alumni Magazine - Class Notes - Summer 2012
was an American academic and educator who was named the 16th President of the

College of Charleston The College of Charleston (CofC or Charleston) is a public university in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785, it is the oldest university in South Carolina, the 13th-oldest institution of higher lea ...

in 1968. When Stern first arrived, there were 432 students enrolled and 28 faculty members and only 8 of them had doctorate degrees. At that time the College was facing a financial crisis. With the help of the

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

government he was able to ensure the future of the college. By the time he stepped down in 1978, Stern had grown the enrollment to 5,300 students. He led the initiative to construct the Robert Scott Small Library. In 1968 Stern admitted the first African American student to the College of Charleston. During his interview for President, he was asked what he would do if an African American applied to the college. Stern replied that he would review the application the same as any other. In 1970, he personally housed the first foreign students. After stepping down Stern remained active in the development of the College of Charleston. The student union is named for Stern, who also ensured the area behind Addlestone Library would be open green-space as opposed to a parking lot. Stern reached the age of 100 on December 25, 2012. He died less than a month later, on January 18, 2013.

Legacy

The Ted Stern Cup, named in his honor, is awarded annually to a graduating senior who exemplifies the character of the College of Charleston. The Stern Cup is one of the three highest awards (the other two awards are the Bishop Smith Award and the Alexander Chamblis Award) that a student can achieve at the College and is the culmination of their four years at the College.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stern, Theodore 1912 births 2013 deaths Presidents of the College of Charleston American men centenarians Educators from New York City