Cunningham, John R. (John Rood), 1891-1980

Dr. John Rood Cunningham was the 12th president of Davidson College. He was born in Williamsburg, Mo., on July 3, 1891. He attended Westminster Presbyterian College in Fulton, Mo., graduating in 1914. In 1917 he graduated from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian church. He served as a pastor in four churches and as president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1930-1936.) In 1940, he was elected president of Davidson College. While president, Cunningham was active with the American Section of the World Council of Churches. In 1957 Dr. Cunningham retired from the presidency to become Executive Director of the Presbyterian Foundation. He retired from Mecklenburg Presbytery. He died in 1980.