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John Oliver Crosby
1892-1896
Biography
John Oliver Crosby
Dr. John O. Crosby, the
college’s first president, was reared and educated in Raleigh, NC having attended Shaw University where he earned a
degree in theology. Before becoming president of the newly organized Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1892,
Crosby served as moderator of the Rowan Baptist Association and principal of the State Normal school in Salisbury, NC.
He designed the administration building and made the first of the bricks with which it was constructed.
In 1894, Crosby planned the North Dormitory which housed one hundred students. He designed Crosby Hall which was known as
the “finest structure of its kind throughout the southern states.” Under his administration, female students were admitted
to the college in 1893 and remained there until the end of the session in 1901. They were not readmitted until 1928.
It was also under his leadership that two academic departments were created: agriculture and mechanical arts.
In 1896, amid internal as well as external criticisms, Dr. Crosby terminated his office as president and returned to
Salisbury, NC where he resumed his position as principal of the L. C. State Normal School.
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