Alvin Duke Chandler (August 18, 1902 – May 26, 1987) was an American Navy officer and 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: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

of the

College of William & Mary The College of William & Mary (abbreviated as W&M) is a public university, public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1693 under a royal charter issued by King William III of England, William III and Queen ...

, 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 Chancellor () is a title of various official positions in the governments of many countries. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the (lattice work screens) of a basilica (court hall), which separa ...

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 naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

, eventually reaching the rank of

vice-admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to lieutenant general and air marshal. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral. Australia In the Royal Australian Navy, the rank of vic ...

. His father, Julian Alvin Carroll Chandler, 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 The United States Naval Academy (USNA, Navy, or Annapolis) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The Naval Academy is the sec ...

, graduating in 1923.

Commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank as well as a job title in many army, armies. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countri ...

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 associa ...

about 1936-1938. During the

Guadalcanal Campaign The Guadalcanal campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by the United States, was an Allies of World War II, Allied offensive against forces of the Empire of Japan in the Solomon Islands during th ...

Cdr Chandler commanded Destroyer Division 41 in the Battle of Rennell Island. USS Chevalier (DD-451), USS Edwards (DD-619), USS Meade (DD-602), and USS Taylor (DD-468) 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 Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

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 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: Université McGill) is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill University, Vol. I. For the Advancement of Learning, ...

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

Death

On May 26, 1987, Chandler died. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

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 Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies Burials at Hollywood Cemetery (Richmond, Virginia)