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Principals & Presidents

Notes on numbering: While Averett traces its history to the leadership of Nathan Pennick, first principal of what was originally called Union Female College, John T. Averett was the first man to actually be called President of the school (by then known as Roanoke Female College). In addition, one short term leader - Acting President George Swann (Dec 1902-summer 1903) - had been entirely forgotten until February 2025.

Thus, there have been 29 individuals who have purportedly led or co-led this institution, though only 20 have been referred to by the name 'President.'

Depending on the situation, Averett's leaders can be counted in three different ways:

All Institutional Leaders: for information that is best served by completionism, all of the names below are counted. Dr. Thomas Powell would thus be the 29th leader of Averett University by this method.
Official Presidents: in recent years, when counting official Presidents for official business, only those people who were specifically hired to occupy an office called "President" have been counted. By this method, Dr. Powell is the 16th President (omitting the interim Presidencies of George Swann, Mary Fugate, and Venita Mitchell, the Assistant Presidency of J.C.C. Dunford, and all leaders prior to J.T. Averett).
All Presidents: when counting all occupants of the office known as "President," all Acting, Interim, and Assistant Presidents are counted. By this method, Dr. Powell would be the 20th occupant of the office of the Presidency.

From at least 1980 (the inauguration of Howard Lee) to 2008 (the inauguration of Tiffany Franks), press releases counted by including all institutional leaders known at the time - thus, Dr. Franks was, at her inauguration, described as the "24th President." By the inauguration of Dr. Joyce in 2025, the institution had begun to count only official Presidents in press releases - thus Dr. Joyce was announced, seemingly paradoxically, as the "15th President."

1858 - 1861: Nathan Penick

Opened Baptist Female Seminary on the site of the former Danville Female Institute (a boarding school run briefly by William Isaac Berryman out of his own home).
Penick oversaw the creation of a college-level curriculum, the re-christening of the school as Union Female College, and the construction of a purpose-built brick school building on Patton Street, next door to the original Berryman home.
In addition to his duties as principal, Penick taught mathematics, natural science, and English.
Married to Jane Elizabeth Averett, who also taught French and music.
Replaced as principal in 1861 by his brother-in-law.

1860 - 1863: William Allen Tyree

Joined his brother-in-law, Nathan Penick, in Danville and took over as principal of Union Female College.
His time as head of the school, coinciding with the early years of the Civil War, was troubled by enrollment and financial problems.
In addition to his duties as principal, was a teacher of mental and moral sciences.
Resigned from the college in 1863 to return to the pastorate.

1863 - 1863: John Cralle Long

Was a farmer and preacher near Richmond during the Civil War. Was invited to fill the position of principal of Union Female College for the spring term (5 months) after the early departure of Tyree.
Although John C. Long has been included in Averett's list of leaders since David Gray's unpublished history of the college in 1960, there is reason to believe he never actually held the position. An 1897 article by C.F. James asserts that, although the Trustees definitely offered him the job, there was no historical information showing that he had accepted. The wife of previous principal W.A. Tyree additionally asserted that the college was not even in session from Spring 1892 through the summer of 1863, and that the building was, instead, in use as a boarding house for Civil War refugees. The only sources that support Long's occupancy of the position are biographical references books written decades later (The Baptist Encyclopedia [1881] and Virginia Baptist Ministers [1913]).

1863 - 1872: Isaac Beverly Lake

Helped shepherd the school through financial hardship during the war years under a new plan: the land and buildings of the school would be rented to the principal for 10% of the receipts.
Typically shared duties with co-principals.
Oversaw the change in name to Roanoke Female College in 1864
In addition to his duties as principal, taught mathematics, history, and natural and moral sciences.
Left in 1872 to accept a call to the ministry.

1866 - 1867: Hannum Winchester Reinhart

Joined Isaac Beverly Lake as co-principal for a single year.
In addition to his duties as co-principal, taught ancient and modern languages.
Left in 1867, after "a serious difficulty" with co-president Lake, to help re-establish the local Methodist school (which would become Stratford College)

1867 - 1872: Thomas Hume, Jr.

Joined Lake as co-principal after the departure of Reinhart.
In addition to his duties as co-principal, taught English literature, and ancient and modern languages.
Left the school in 1872 along with Lake when both opted to return to the ministry.

1870 - 1873: Arnaud Eduard Preot

Served as a third co-principal for all three of his years.
In addition to his duties as co-principal, taught music and French.
Was killed just prior to commencement 1873 when a keg of beer (which he used for medicinal purposes) exploded in his face.

1872 - 1873: John Lipscomb Johnson

Joined Preot and S.W. Averett (below) as co-principal for one year after the departures of Lake and Hume, specifically taking charge of modern languages.
Resigned and became Chair of the English Department of the State University of Mississippi.

1872 - 1887: Samuel Wootton Averett

Brother-in-law of the school's first principal, S.W. Averett moved to Danville to become co-principal in 1872. and would serve in that capacity - along with his brother - for longer than anyone before him: 14 years
In addition to his duties as co-principal, taught mathematics, chemistry, physics, and French.
Left to accept the presidency of Judson College (Marion, Alabama)

1873 - 1892: John Taylor Averett

In addition to being Nathan Penick's brother-in-law, and S.W. Averett's brother, J.T. ("Capt. Jack") Averett had been one of the first Trustees of Union Female College. Joined his brother in 1873 as co-principal.
Became the first to be called "President" of the school after his brother left in 1887. From this point forward, leadership of the school would no longer be shared among two or three individuals.
In addition to his duties as principal / President, J.T. Averett taught history, ancient languages, English, and moral philosophy.
Retired in 1892 after spending several years confined to a wheelchair following a stroke.

1890 - 1892: J.C.C. Dunford (Assistant President)

Unmentioned in any history of Averett until March 2025, Dunford was a short-term Assistant President to J.T. Averett, after Mr. Averett suffered a stroke which left him wheelchair-bound.
It remains unclear how much of the work of the Presidency was done by Dunford, though the position "Assistant President" (rather than "Assistant to the President") demands that he be numbered among our institutional leaders.
In addition to his duties as Assistant President, Dunford taught ancient languages, mathematics, natural sciences, and moral philosophy.
Took over the Fairview Collegiate Institute in fall 1892. It is unclear if he was even considered as a replacement for J.T. Averett.

1892 - 1902: Charles Fenton James

Oversaw the construction of a new wing at the Patton street building which not only allowed for an increase in enrollment, but also brought indoor plumbing to campus for the first time.
During his presidency, the activity of the Lyrian League (a student literary society) laid the foundations for the school's first reference library.
In addition to his duties as President, taught history, natural science, mathematics, and natural and moral philosophy.
Died in office of a heart attack on December 5th, 1902.

1902 - 1903: George H. Swann (Acting President)

Acting President after the death of C.F. James, Swann finished out the academic year of 1902-03 before being replaced by Robert Hatton in the fall of 1903.
Swann was with the institution for approximately a decade - 1898-1908 - during which time he served as an institutional second in command. He was referred to as Assistant Principal from 1898-1902, and Vice President from 1903-1908.
In addition to his administrative duties, also taught languages (Latin, Greek, French, and German).

1903 - 1907: Robert Edwin Hatton

In a few short years under his leadership, the school significantly expanded its library holdings (mostly from Hatton's own personal donations), doubled the size of the faculty, published its first Yearbook, and shortened its name to Roanoke College
In addition to his duties as President, taught philosophy and natural sciences.
Left to accept the presidency of Liberty College (Glasgow, Kentucky)

1907 - 1914: John Bruce Brewer

In many ways the first modern president, Brewer established a firm financial footing for the school by forging close ties with the Baptist community, and oversaw the construction of a new campus on West Main Street (the current "Main Hall," which opened in 1910) to allow for continued growth and expansion.
The school once again changed its name - to Roanoke Institute - during Brewer's tenure.
In addition to his duties as President, taught philosophy and mathematics.
Retired in 1914

1914 - 1917: William Walter Rivers

Presided over the school's last significant name changes - first to Danville College for Young Women, and finally to Averett College - and laid the groundwork for the school to be accredited as a junior college in 1917.
In addition to his duties as President, taught Latin and philosophy.
Left in 1917 to enter the insurance business.
The bust of Minerva currently in Pritchett auditorium was Rivers' departing gift to the school.

1917 - 1921: Clayton Edward Crosland

Presided over the completion of the name change to Averett College.
During his tenure, the first Student Government Association on campus was organized (1920).
In addition to his duties as President, taught German, Latin, French, and philosophy.
Is the only President or principal in the school's history to be fired for his actions: the Board of Trustees (following a condemnation by a Baptist convention) demanded that Crosland leave after he allowed dancing and dance classes on campus.

1921 - 1927: James Pressley Craft

During his tenure, a science and gymnasium building (which would eventually become Davenport Hall) was constructed
Oversaw significant cultural changes to the school as well: the student newspaper (the Chanticleer) began publication, May Day festivals were inaugurated, and the school hired its first full-time librarian.
Infamously fired a revolver into a darkened kitchen only to find that he had heard students, not a prowler. Thankfully, no one was harmed.
Left to accept the presidency of Hardin College (Mexico, Missouri)

1927 - 1936: John Walter Cammack

Despite holding office primarily during the Great Depression, Cammack presided over significant expansion. Danville Hall (named for the town in honor of more than $400,000 worth of local donations) was built, as were the first President's House (now Alumni Hall), and Sydnor athletic field.
In addition to his duties as President, taught Bible classes and logic.
Left to return to the ministry.

1936 - 1966: Curtis Vance Bishop

Averett's longest serving institutional leader by a large margin, Bishop had been Vice President and Business Manager during the end of Cammack's term.
Oversaw significant expansion of the school during his lengthy tenure. Davenport Hall was built around the old Main Hall annex, an amphitheater was built to accommodate May Day festivals and other events, the new gymnasium and Pritchett Auditorium were constructed. By the 1960s, wings were added to Main Hall, and Bishop Hall was built, which connected all extant buildings together so that students needn't ever go outside.
Presided over an early example of co-education at Averett, when a large group of World War II veterans were allowed to attend - under the G.I. Bill - in the late 1940s.
In addition to his duties as President, Bishop was Mayor of Danville from 1950-57.
Died in office in February 1966.

1966 - 1966: Mary Catherine Fugate (Acting President)

Longtime Dean of Averett (she had been with the school since 1924), Mary Fugate served as acting president after Curtis Bishop's death.
Retired from Averett in 1969.
Fugate Dorm was named in her honor in 1971.

1966 - 1979: Conwell Axel Anderson

The student body and student behavior changed greatly during Anderson's tenure, as Averett shifted to a four-year program, opened evening classes, became racially integrated, and transitioned permanently to a co-ed student body. Anderson also agreed to significant revision of handbook policies that regulated student behavior.
Anderson also oversaw the building of Fugate Hall and the Mary B. Blount Library, and the first student parking lot, as well as the acquisition of mutliple houses along Main Street for campus use. He even made plans to move the entire campus out of town, though the latter plans were abandoned by his successor.
Retired in 1979 due to health concerns.

1980 - 1985: Howard William Lee

Spent nearly a decade as Assistant to President Anderson.
Abandoned the plans to move the campus, and opted to continue expansion of the West Main campus instead. He presided over the building of Kleinoder Field, Frith Hall, the acquisition of the President's House on Hawthorne Drive (sold in 2025), and the construction of tennis courts on Surrey Lane.
Averett also awarded its first Master's degrees during his tenure.
Retired in 1985.

1985 - 2002: Frank Ross Campbell

Campbell's continuation of the expansion program split the campus into multiple venues; he oversaw the planning and construction of North Campus, and the Equestrian Center just over the North Carolina border, as well as the renting of space at Danville Regional Airport for the aviation program. Main campus added the Grousbeck Music Center, the Jordan Common, and the Averett Commons apartments.
Under his tenure, the school's Master's degree offerings continued to expand, distance learning centers were opened in multiple venues, and the school officially changed its name to Averett University.
Retired in 2002.

2002 - 2008: Richard Anthony Pfau

Campus expansion plans continued under Pfau's tenure, with the most notable addition being the Student Center.
Pfau's time as president was marked most prominently by a public dispute with the Baptist General Association of Virginia over LGBTQ rights. A letter to the editor by a faculty member led to significant public debate, the picketing of graduation by a conservative Christian group, and a break with the BGAV.
Retired in 2008.

2008 - 2024: Tiffany McKillip Franks

Averett's third-longest serving institutional leader (shorter than Curtis Bishop and J.T. Averett, but slightly longer than Frank Campbell).
Continued campus and academic expansion, including the addition of numerous Master's level programs, the renovation or addition of several campus buildings (Frith Fine Arts Center, Campbell Stadium, Riverview Campus, etc), and the formation of a partnership with Caesar's, to name just a few.
Restored the University's partnership with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.
Retired nine months after revelations of major financial mismanagement by the University's CFO.

2025 January - April: David Joyce

In response to the financial crisis lingering from the final year of Dr. Franks' presidency, Joyce oversaw numerous efforts to streamline the budget and reduce expenses, including the sale of the Conway House.
Departed much earlier than intended, due to a family medical emergency.

2025 April: Venita Mitchell (Interim President)

Held the office of Interim President for a few weeks during an emergency search for Dr. Joyce's replacement.
Returned to her work as Averett's Vice President for Student Engagement on May 1st, 2025

2025 May - present: Thomas H. Powell