Joab Mauldin Lesesne, Jr. became the ninth president of Wofford College on June 30, 1972. A native of Greenville and a graduate of Erskine College, Lesesne took his masters and doctorate in history at the University of South Carolina. Joining the Wofford faculty in 1964, Lesesne soon moved into a series of increasingly important administrative positions. He directed Wofford's first Interim in 1968, served as director of development and as dean of the college before assuming the presidency. During his 28-year presidency, Wofford increased in national reputation and improved in academic quality. Lesesne placed the college on a more stable financial footing, moved toward full residential coeducation, and after the mid-1980s, led the college through several major building projects and capital campaigns. During his tenure, the college moved from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I athletic competition, and improved its athletic facilities. The Lesesne era was known for stable and collegial faculty-administrative relationships. In the college's first 150 years, Lesesne had the second-longest administration, and in fact served as long as his four immediate predecessors combined. After retiring in 2000, Lesesne taught occasionally and served as a volunteer assistant football coach.
From the description of Papers of President Joab M. Lesesne, Jr. : 1970-2005 (Wofford College). WorldCat record id: 709903476
