West Chester Presidents Exhibit

Do you know this man???

Is he a character from Gone with the Wind?  A long-lost relative of Colonel Sanders? A mustache wax salesman? 

Not quite - he was William A. Chandler, the second president of the West Chester State Normal School, who served his term under the title of "Principal" from 1872-1873.  He was also a teacher, a doctor, and served in the Civil War before he was invited to serve as the leader of the fledgling teacher's college.  His first assignment was as a surgeon on the battlefield at Gettysburg! 

How about this fellow? 

This is Andrew Thomas Smith, who presided over the college from 1920-1927.  He was an alumnus of the West Chester Normal School, having graduated as president of his class in 1883.  He returned later to serve as a professor, and finally as president.  And some say he remains here to this day, haunting the Philips Memorial Building's auditorium as a ghost!

You might also recognize the names G.M. Philips, Charles Swope, and Earl Sykes, all past presidents who have buildings on campus named after them.

West Chester has had 14 presidents to date (including our current president, Dr. Greg Weisenstein), all with illustrious backgrounds and interesting stories.  An exhibit celebrating the past presidents of West Chester is currently ongoing.  Stop by the 6th floor of FHG Library to find out more about West Chester's leaders throughout the years.