Global InformationCharles Claude Selecman information
C. C. Selecman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd President of Southern Methodist University | |
| In office 1923–1938 | |
| Preceded by | Hiram Boaz |
| Succeeded by | Umphrey Lee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 13, 1874 Savannah, Missouri |
| Died | March 27, 1958 (aged 83) Dallas, Texas |
| Education | Central College |
Charles Claude Selecman (October 13, 1874 – March 27, 1958) was an American Methodist pastor and the third president of Southern Methodist University from 1923 to 1938. Selecman entered office during a difficult financial time for SMU and managed to put the university on sounder footing while expanding the campus and growing the enrollment.[1] These achievements would largely be overshadowed, however, by his chilling effect on SMU's intellectual and social environment.[2]
Selecman was a religious fundamentalist and opponent of secular education who banned dances, shuttered student groups he opposed, and fired faculty with whom he disagreed, including theologian and future Vanderbilt chancellor Harvie Branscomb.[3][4] In Charles Ferguson's 1929 satirical novel Pigskin, a character based on Selecman is described as "a cross between the Apostle Paul and Benito Mussolini."[5]
In 1938, Selecman was elected as a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and departed SMU. In this capacity, he would lead both the Oklahoma Conference and the North Texas Conference.[1] He would ascend to the Methodist Church's highest office, becoming president of the Council of Bishops in 1945.[1]
- ^ a b c Association, Texas State Historical. "Selecman, Charles Claude". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ Caughfield, Adrienne (2015). "Fighting the Cold War at Southern Methodist University". The Journal of Southern History. 81 (3): 647–674. JSTOR 43918402.
- ^ "The Rocky Mountain News (Daily) March 18, 1928 — Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection". www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ Payne, Darwin (2016). One Hundred Years on the Hilltop: The Centennial History of Southern Methodist University. DeGolyer Library. ISBN 978-1878516114.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page).