Former President Dr. S. David Frazier To Be Inducted to Peace’s Athletic Hall of Fame
April 20, 2009
For Immediate Release
*Contact: Wendy JonesSports Information Director, Peace College
919.508.2331, wejones@peace.edu
April 21, 2009*
Raleigh, NC*—Peace College is proud to announce the upcoming induction of _*Former President Dr. S. David Frazier *_into the athletics hall of fame during the May 16 Breakfast of Champions during alumnae weekend. Dr. Frazier will be only the second member of the college’s hall of fame. The college inducted the 1976-1977 basketball team as its inaugural member in April 2002.
The eighth president of Peace College, Dr. Frazier progressed Peace from a college with an uncertain future to become perhaps the most highly regarded two-year college in America. By 1988, Peace held the highest SAT scores of any two-year college and also the largest endowment, which grew to almost $18 million during this period. Endowments were established to fund the library, faculty development, merit and work scholarships, visiting scholars, and concert and lecture series. He initiated honors and independent study programs and internships. Peace established the second writing institute in America and a very successful writing center.
Dr. Frazier and his administration developed nationally-ranked teams in tennis and basketball. As part of her nomination, alumnae tennis athlete Ellen Easter noted, “[his] interest in Peace College athletics was the driving force behind the numerous successful tennis (and basketball) teams that Peace enjoyed during his tenure….Dr. Frazier celebrated all successes and commiserated disappointments as one of the team.”
His administration created innovative laboratory courses in English and mathematics. The size of the downtown campus nearly doubled; seven buildings constructed and all existing buildings renovated and air conditioned. The college was nationally recognized for fundraising efficiency and landscaping.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Dr. Frazier graduated in 1953 from Carson-Newman College (B.A.), in 1956 from the University of Tennessee (M.S.), and in 1962 from Florida State University (Ph.D.), where he was also a university fellow. He served in the United States Army (1953-1955) before becoming a counselor and teacher in Jacksonville, Florida (1956-1958). He served as principal for the Niota School in Tennessee (1958-1959) and then became an admissions counselor for the University of Georgia (1959-1961). Dr. Frazier was then named dean of students and admissions for Young Harris College (1962-65).
Beyond his time at Peace, Dr. Frazier served the Presbyterian Homes of North Carolina as the campaign coordinator (1988-1989). He served as adjunct professor at Lincoln Memorial University (1991) and became a consultant for several presidential search committees. He is currently contracted as independent evaluator of federally funded programs.
Dr. Frazier is listed in Who’s Who in American Education, was named to the “Outstanding Young Men of America,” has served on the Kiwanian board of directors and as president, as well as on the Board of Directors of the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina Association of Colleges (also president), the National Council of Junior Colleges, and as director for the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, as Chairman of the County Library Board, and is an Elder in three Presbyterian churches. He has chaired numerous visiting committees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and served for seven years on the critical Committee on Standards and Reports. Dr. Frazier and his wife, Jean, have two grown children and reside in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The office of alumnae affairs in conjunction with the department of athletics host the second annual Breakfast of Champions Saturday, May 16 during the college’s alumnae weekend festivities. All alumnae athletes are invited to attend. Please contact the alumnae office at 919-508-2025 or 800-PEACE-47. Or, email the alumnae office at extrel@peace.edu to register for this and other weekend events.
