Thompson, William Oxley, 1855-1933

WIlliam Oxley Thompson was born in Cambridge, Ohio on November 5, 1855. He received an A.B. in 1878 and a D.D. in 1891 from Muskingum College. On April 13, 1881, Thompson was licensed by the Presbytery of Zanesville at Dresden, Ohio. He served as a home missionary and pastor in Odebolt, Iowa from 1882 to 1885. From 1885 to 1889, Thompson served as President of Longmont College in Colorado. In 1891, the Miami University Board of Trustees named Thompson President of Miami University. During his tenure Thompson actively recruited students by touring southern Ohio, and he succeeded in doubling Miami enrollment during his first year. He took steps to discourage fraternity hazing, and in 1892, oversaw completion of Miami's first scientific laboratory building, Brice Hall. Under Thompson, Miami professionalized its M.A. degree by requiring both a period in residence and a specific course of study for candidates. Thompson also lobbied successfully for legislation supporting Ohio colleges. During his term, state aid to Miami was increased and an annual state subsidy begun. Thompson accepted the Presidency of Ohio State University in 1899 and remained there unitl 1925. In 1926, Thompson lobbied the Ohio Legislature to approve the Lybarger Bill, a measure that would have essentially stripped Miami of its liberal arts program, leaving it a normal school. The Bill was eventually defeated, largely due to the efforts of the Miami President Guy Potter Benton. After leaving Ohio State, Thompson served as the General Moderator for the Presbyterian Churches of America in 1926. He died on December 9, 1933.

From the guide to the William Oxley Thompson Collecion, 1891-1971, 1891-1899, (Miami University)

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