Dr. Harry Philpott was the president of Auburn University from 1965 through 1980 and served during a time of fantasti growth on the plains.
Auburn's 11th president, Philpott saw the University increase its number of degrees offered from 63 to more than 140 areas of study under his watch. He awarded awarded 53,806 degrees during his time at Auburn, which was more than half of those given in the University's history at that point.
During that time Auburn's ROTC became optional, curfews were abandoned and off-campus living was approved, which helped boost enrollment, particularly for females, from 28 percent in 1965 to 42 percent in 1980 according to The Auburn Plainsman.
Haley Center, Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, Dudley Hall, Goodwin Music Building and Telfair Peet Theatre and the pharmacy building were all completed with Philpott at the helm. The veterinary facilities and the Agricultural Experiment station were relocated and the Hill residence halls were finished too.
Aside from the post-war period the campus had never seen such growth in a 15-year period.
Dr. Philpott retired and stayed in Auburn until his death on January 28, 2008, just a few days before this writing.
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