On November 19, 1940, the Board of Trustees met and elected John Rood Cunningham president of Davidson College. An ordained minister, he had been pastor of several large churches and president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary prior to taking office at Davidson. Despite the upheaval of the World War II years, the measurable material and educational accomplishments of President Cunningham are impressive. The permanent endowment expanded from one to five millian dollars; the teaching faculty rose fro forty-seven in 1941 to eithy-six in 1957; five major buildings were constructed: Johnston Gymnasium, the Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Ovens College Union, E.H. Little Hall and Belk Dormitory. In addition, Grey Library and Martin Science Building, both of which had been begun in Dr. Lingle's administration, were completed during the first year of Dr. Cunningham's presidency.
While president of Davidson College, Dr. Cunningham was elected moderator of the Southern Presbyterian Church in 1947, delegate of the denomination at the organizational meeting of the World Council of Churches in Amsterdam in 1948, and president of the Association of American Colleges in 1953. On his retirement from Davidson, he was appointed Executive Director of the Southern Presbyterian Foundation, serving until 1964.
From the description of Records, 1940-1958. (American Museum of Natural History). WorldCat record id: 722302805
