1962 - 1975

William C. H. Prentice

  • William Prentice

In 1962, trustees found President Meneely‘s successor in William Courtney Hamilton Prentice, a psychology professor and administrator from Swarthmore College, who held the Wheaton presidency until 1975.

During his tenure, Wheaton completed its first successful capital and endowment campaign, enabling the construction of a new Science Center in 1968.

In 1971, in the face of a faculty vote supporting Wheaton’s change to coeducation, Prentice and the trustees recommitted the College to women’s education.

  • William Prentice

In 1975, Prentice and his wife, Elsie (Benton) Doty, were awarded honorary degrees, and the endowed William C. H. & Elsie D. Prentice chair was established.