Campbell, Doak S. (Doak Sheridan), 1888-1973

President, Florida State University.

Doak Sheridan Campbell, third president of the Florida State College for Women (1941-1957), was born near Waldron, Arkansas, on November 16, 1888. He attended public school in Arkansas, after which he obtained his teaching license. He taught for one year, then went to Ouachita College at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he graduated with a teaching degree in 1911, emphasizing music and speech. He then became superintendent of school at Columbus, Arkansas. In 1913 he married Helen Gray Smith, and had two children, Doak Jr. and Elizabeth Caroline. In 1916 he became a chemistry instructor at Central College in Conway, Arkansas, and became president by 1920. In 1928 and 1930 he earned a Master's Degree and a Ph. D. from George Peabody. In 1938 his wife passed away. In September of 1941 he became the president of the Florida State College for Women. Before moving to Tallahassee he married Edna Simmons of Mississippi. On July 1, 1947, Florida State College for Women became Florida State University. He served for 16 years as president, and on June 30, 1957, he retired, and remained in Tallahassee until his death on March 23, 1973.

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