Charles E. Dowman
1849 - 1914
Charles Dowman was born in Kent County, England and migrated to America early in his life. He graduated from Emory College in 1873 and went on to become a professor of languages at his alma mater and later, its president, after Bishop Candler resigned in 1898. As president, Dowman made what was then considered a radical change in the curriculum by introducing “electives” and presided over the most rigorous period of raising academic standards that the college had yet experienced.
Dowman campaigned diligently for the construction of a new science building and, although one was not constructed until after his four year term had ended, the majority of the funds for its construction had been raised. Similarly, he recommended moving away from the “helping hall” system of housing students and advocated the building of college-controlled dormitories, an unpopular concept at the time. He argued that students could be supervised more effectively if they were centrally located on campus rather than dispersed throughout the town. Although Dowman was the catalyst, his plan did not come to fruition for another ten years, when the construction of the Atticus G. Haygood Hall was completed.
The Dowman Dormitory on campus and Dowman Street in town are named in his honor.
Dowman campaigned diligently for the construction of a new science building and, although one was not constructed until after his four year term had ended, the majority of the funds for its construction had been raised. Similarly, he recommended moving away from the “helping hall” system of housing students and advocated the building of college-controlled dormitories, an unpopular concept at the time. He argued that students could be supervised more effectively if they were centrally located on campus rather than dispersed throughout the town. Although Dowman was the catalyst, his plan did not come to fruition for another ten years, when the construction of the Atticus G. Haygood Hall was completed.
The Dowman Dormitory on campus and Dowman Street in town are named in his honor.
