Alvin Duke Chandler (August 18, 1902 – May 26, 1987) was the twenty-first

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...

of the

College of William & Mary The College of William & Mary (officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia, abbreviated as William & Mary, W&M) is a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1693 by letters patent issued by King William I ...

, serving from 1951 to 1960. He also served as the chancellor of The Colleges of William & Mary from 1960 to 1962; after that system was disbanded, he served as Chancellor of the College from 1962 to 1974. Prior to his career at the

, Chandler served in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, eventually reaching the rank of vice-admiral. His father,

Julian Alvin Carroll Chandler Julian Alvin Carroll Chandler (October 29, 1872 – May 31, 1934), usually cited as J. A. C. Chandler, was an American historian, author and educator. He is best known as the 18th president of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Vir ...

, also served as president of the

. His personal papers as well as the papers from his time as president can be found in the Special Collections Research Center at the

Naval officer (1923–1951)

Chandler attended William and Mary in 1918–1919, prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1923. Commander Chandler was a student at the

Naval War College The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associ ...

about 1936-1938. During the Guadalcanal Campaign Cdr Chandler commanded Destroyer Division 41 in the

Battle of Rennell Island The took place on 29–30 January 1943. It was the last major naval engagement between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Guadalcanal Campaign of World War II. It occurred in the South Pacific between Rennell ...

. USS Chevalier (DD-451), USS Edwards (DD-619), USS Meade (DD-602), and

USS Taylor (DD-468) USS ''Taylor'' (DD/DDE-468) was a of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor (1811–1889). She was laid down on 28 August 1941 at Bath, Maine, by the Bath Iron Works Corp.; launched on 7 June 1942, sponsored ...

made up his force. He was director of logistics plans for the U.S. Navy when he retired to accept the presidency of the College of William & Mary (1951).

Educator (1951–1974)

The Board of Visitors appointed Admiral Chandler president of the

in haste, and outraged the faculty by failing to consult them. His predecessor had been forced out of office following a scandal over changing grades for football players on the college team. After taking office, he instituted uniform admission standards for all students. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of the faculty, curriculum changes, and the construction of five new buildings. He left office to become chancellor of the Colleges of William & Mary (1960–1962), until the

General Assembly of Virginia The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere, the first elected legislative assembly in the New World, and was established on July 30, ...

made those five public colleges independent. Then he was chancellor of the college (1962–1974). The faculty were unhappy with President Chandler when state law required that they subscribe to loyalty oaths. A star professor decamped for

McGill University McGill University (french: link=no, Université McGill) is an English-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous ...

, and faculty recruiting suffered. Students chafed at censorship of their publications, restrictions on drinking, and requirements for chaperones.

Death

On 26 May 1987, Alvin died in the Virginia Beach General Hospital, age 84.

References

External links

Finding aid for the Alvin Duke Chandler PapersFinding aid for Office of the President. Alvin Duke Chandler
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandler, Alvin Duke 1987 deaths 1902 births Presidents of the College of William & Mary Chancellors of the College of William & Mary College of William & Mary alumni United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy vice admirals United States Navy personnel of World War II Military personnel from Richmond, Virginia Recipients of the Legion of Merit