Hardin, Paul III
Papers, 1967-1974
[bulk 1968-72]
Record Group 208
3 cubic feet, in 3 boxes
Biographical note: Paul Hardin, III became the eighth president of Wofford College on September 1, 1968. A graduate of Duke University who was first in his class at Duke Law School, Hardin practiced law in Birmingham for two years before joining the faculty of the law school at Duke. He rose through the ranks, and was a full professor in 1967 when the Wofford Board of Trustees elected him to succeed Charles Marsh as president of the college. He took office on September 1, 1968 and was inaugurated the following April.
As president, Hardin served during four years of rapid change at Wofford. The son of South Carolina’s Methodist bishop, Hardin had to mediate between the college’s various constituencies, including the students, faculty, alumni, and the Methodist church. He also sought to direct student activism in a constructive manner. Under his administration, the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities was written. His administration saw the liberalization of the alcohol policy and the first moves toward full coeducation. The college also instituted an open speaker’s policy. None of these moves was without controversy, and his files reflect this. Hardin’s administration saw a more free form of debate than had existed in previous years, with Hardin himself attempting to participate in and direct the debate. His term ended somewhat abruptly, when he accepted the presidency of Southern Methodist University in the spring of 1972.
Organization: Organized into three series: 1: College Papers; 2: Inauguration; 3: Clipping and Photograph files
Access: Unrestricted
Summary: President Hardin’s office files contain correspondence relating to numerous aspects of the college in the 1960s. Principally, the college papers consist of correspondence with the deans, with faculty, with alumni and donors, and with some students. Some of his speeches and statements are also included in this section. There is a substantial amount of material relating to his inauguration in April 1969. Of particular interest are the letters regarding the change in the alcohol policy and critical of speakers at the college.
Cite As: Papers of President Paul Hardin, III, Sandor Teszler Library, Wofford College.
Location: Archives, Sandor Teszler Library, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663
Related Materials: Papers of President Charles F. Marsh, Papers of President Joab M.Lesesne.
Accessioned on April 21, 1988 by transfer from the President’s Office. Second accession in 2003-04 from the President’s Office, with papers of President Lesesne. Arranged by Phillip Stone on May 24, 1999, and arrangement refined in 2005. Arrangement refined in July 2011 to account for new materials from the president’s office.
Finding Aid: Folder listing
Folder listing
Folder Contents
Box 1
Box 2
Box 3
Subjects: Wofford College--Education--20th Century; Wofford College--Administration; Hardin, Paul III; Methodist Church--Education; Student activism; Alcohol use.