 | HARRY MELVIN PHILPOTT |
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1972, and updated in 2008.
Dr. Harry Melvin Philpott was born May 6, 1917 in Bassett, Virginia, and reared in North
Carolina. He was an ordained Baptist minister, but spent his professional life in the field of
higher education.
Dr. Philpott was graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts
Degree Cum Laude. Holding a scholarship during his four years at Washington and Lee, he was
awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion in 1938. He did graduate work at Yale and
received the Doctor of Philosophy Degree from that institution in 1947. His major field of study
was religion and higher education with extensive work in philosophy and psychology. He was
the winner of the Tew Prize for outstanding work in ethics in 1941, was designated a Yale University Scholar in 1941-43, and held the Walter C. Teagle Fellowship in 1946-47.
The Auburn University president had honorary degrees from Stetson, Washington and Lee,
University of Florida, and the University of Alabama.
He was director of religious activities at Washington and Lee from 1938 until 1940. He served
with the Chaplains Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve with the rank of lieutenant from 1943-46, and
was attached to the U. S. S. Tucson and saw action with the Third and Fifth Fleets in Pacific
operations, including the surrender and occupation of Japan.
In 1947, he joined the faculty of the University of Florida as a professor of religion. There he
organized the University's Religion in Life Program which received a Freedom Foundation
award. He was called to Stephens College in 1952 to become Dean of Religious Life and head
of the Department of Religion and Philosophy. He returned to the University of Florida to
become vice president in November, 1957. From 1965 until 1980 he served as president of Auburn
University.
He served as chairman of the Alabama Education Study Commission in 1967-69. The study he
headed led to increased appropriations for education in the state and to the establishment of a
permanent commission. His work in this area led to his designation as the Alabama Educator of
the Year by Kappa Phi Kappa, and as Citizen of the Year by Association of Governing Boards of
Universities and Colleges.
He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, Omicron Delta Kappa, Kappa Phi Kappa, Blue Key,
Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, and was active in the First Baptist Church
and the Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Philpott served as a member of the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of
Montgomery and of the West Point Pepperell Company.
He was married to the former Pauline Moran and they had four children: Melvin, Jean,
Cabell, and Virginia.
Dr. Philpott died on January 28, 2008.
Updated: January 28, 2008