A. Leroy Greason papers

Collection

Identifier: M077

Staff Only
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Scope and Content

The collection consists primarily of addresses and lectures written by Greason relating to his presidency of the College. Addresses include baccalaureate and convocation speeches, lectures given to incoming students and parents, alumni addresses, speaker introductions and chapel talks. Also included are various speeches written for local community organizations and high school convocations, class notes created by Greason when he was an English professor at Bowdoin, and papers documenting the activities of the American Association of University Professors at Bowdoin College. Also includes diplomas and regalia for Masters, PhD, and honorary degrees. For related materials, see the A. LeRoy Greason Administrative Records.

Dates

Creation: 1939-2006, undated

Creator

Greason, A. LeRoy (Person)

Biographical/Historical Note

A. LeRoy Greason was born in Newport, Rhode Island on September 13, 1922. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1945, received a Master of Arts and Ph.D. from Harvard University, and in 1990 an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Bowdoin College. Greason was professor of English at Bowdoin from 1952 until 1981, dean of students from 1963-1966, and dean of the College from 1966 to 1975. In 1981 he was inaugurated as the twelfth president of Bowdoin College, a position he held until 1990. During his presidency he instituted new distribution requirements and placed an emphasis on a writing program for first year students. Greason also expanded the arts curriculum and tackled many environmental concerns. He encouraged diversification at Bowdoin by actively attracting students and faculty of racial and ethnic minorities. In addition, Greason developed the computer science, Asian studies and women's studies departments and initiated the construction of both Farley Field House and Hatch Science Library.

A. LeRoy Greason died in Brunswick on August 28, 2011. He is survived by his three children, Randall, Katherine, and Douglas, and four grandchildren. His wife, Pauline "Polly" Schaaf Greason, predeceased him in 2007.