Omer C. Aderhold
1950-67 Omer C. Aderhold, portrait

Biography:
Born November 7, 1899, Lavonia, GA; Died July 4, 1969, Athens, GA. B.S.A. (1923), M.S. (1930) Univ. of Georgia; PhD. Ohio State Univ. (1938); Hon. LL.D. Mercer Univ. (1959).
Aderhold joined UGA faculty in 1929 as an Associate Professor of Education. In 1945, he became Dean of Education, and in 1950 accepted the Presidency at UGA. Following his retirement in 1967, he was a consultant on science and graduate education for the Southern Regional Education Board. Preident Aderhold, Dean Mary Speirs, and Gov. Carls Sanders studying building plans outside Dawson Hall

Accomplishments: During Aderhold's tenure, the value of the University physical plant increased from $12 million to over $100 million, with the promise for more development in the immediate years ahead. This growth came as a result of Aderhold's call for expanded roles of teaching, research, and service to the citizens of Georgia. The Atlanta Division was severed in 1955; it would become Georgia State University. A major private contributor to the growth of the University was the Kellogg Foundation, whose interest in UGA in 1953 found fullest expression in the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, which was brought to fruition in 1957. Growth warranted planning, and the Brumbaugh Study (1958) was a comprehensive examination of the status of programs at UGA, and the perfect planning document for the institution's future. Desegregation came to the University in 1961 with the admission of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter (though the issue had its roots in the Horace Ward controversy of 1950). Mary Frances Early became the first black Graduate student, in spring of 1962, and the University was on its way to a new era of change.

Buildings: Reed Hall (1953); Library (1953); Myers Hall (1954); Georgia Center for Continuing Education (1957); Science Center (Physics/Geography-Geology-Speech/ Chemistry/ Biological Science/Livestock-Poultry/Food Science Buildings, 1959-60); Visual Arts Building (1961); Mell Hall (1961); Lipscomb Hall (1961); Hill Hall (1961); Tucker Hall (1961); Church Hall (1961); Boggs Hall (1961); Oglethorpe House (1963); Bolton Hall (1963); Creswell Hall (1963); Pharmacy Building (1964); Coliseum (1964); University Village (1964-66); Driftmier Engineering Center (1966); Brumby Hall (1966); Russell Hall (1967); McWhorter Hall (1967).

Last Update: March 13, 2001
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