Steadman Vincent Sanford
Encyclopedia
Steadman Vincent Sanford (August 24, 1871 – September 15, 1945) was President of the University of Georgia
(UGA) in Athens
from 1932 until 1935. He subsequently served as Chancellor of the University System of Georgia
from 1935 until 1945.
, Georgia
, in 1871. He enrolled at Mercer University
at the age of fifteen and earned an Bachelor of Arts
{A.B.
} in English in 1890.
Upon graduation from Mercer, Sanford became the principal of the Male Academy in Marietta, Georgia
(1890 to 1892), then served as principal of Marietta High School
(1892–1903) and as superintendent
of Marietta Public Schools
(1897–1903).
In 1903, Sanford came to the University as an English literature instructor. He was promoted to Adjunct Professor in 1907. In 1913, the University awarded him a full professorship as well as the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Hon. Litt. D.) the following year. Sanford also became a professor of journalism with intentions to create a new school for that field.
In 1921, he founded the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism
(initially as a department) and served as its head until 1926 when he became president of UGA's Franklin College
and dean of the University. He then assumed the Presidency of the University in 1932. Dawson Hall (1932) and Joseph E. Brown Hall (1932) were both opened during Sanford's inaugural year as president.
over control of the authority to set policy at UGA and elsewhere in the University System. In 1945, while in Atlanta
for a meeting of the Georgia Board of Regents
, Sanford suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died. He is buried in the Marietta City Cemetery (Citizens Cemetery).
and its progeny, the Southeastern Conference
. The building of the first baseball stadium (Sanford Field
), a basketball facility (Woodruff Hall
in 1924) and the current football venue (Sanford Stadium
) all occurred due to Steadman Sanford.
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
(UGA) in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
from 1932 until 1935. He subsequently served as Chancellor of the University System of Georgia
University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is the organizational body that includes 35 public institutions of higher learning in the U.S. state of Georgia. The System is governed by the Georgia Board of Regents. It sets goals and dictates general policy to educational institutions as well as administering...
from 1935 until 1945.
Early life, education and career
Sanford was born in CovingtonCovington, Georgia
Covington is a city in Newton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 13,118. The city is the county seat of Newton County...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, in 1871. He enrolled at Mercer University
Mercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
at the age of fifteen and earned an Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
{A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
} in English in 1890.
Upon graduation from Mercer, Sanford became the principal of the Male Academy in Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
(1890 to 1892), then served as principal of Marietta High School
Marietta High School (Georgia)
Marietta High School is a public high school in the Marietta City Schools system in Marietta, Georgia. The school colors are royal blue, silver, and white and its mascot is the Blue Devil. Marietta High School's main rival schools are Harrison High School and McEachern High School.Of the 21,786...
(1892–1903) and as superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of Marietta Public Schools
Marietta City Schools (Georgia)
Marietta City Schools is the school district which operates the public schools in the Marietta, Georgia. It is the only city in Cobb County which operates its schools separate from the Cobb County School District....
(1897–1903).
In 1903, Sanford came to the University as an English literature instructor. He was promoted to Adjunct Professor in 1907. In 1913, the University awarded him a full professorship as well as the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (Hon. Litt. D.) the following year. Sanford also became a professor of journalism with intentions to create a new school for that field.
In 1921, he founded the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism
Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
The Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is a college within the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States...
(initially as a department) and served as its head until 1926 when he became president of UGA's Franklin College
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the founding college of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States. The college was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.-History:...
and dean of the University. He then assumed the Presidency of the University in 1932. Dawson Hall (1932) and Joseph E. Brown Hall (1932) were both opened during Sanford's inaugural year as president.
Administrative career
Sanford finally ascended to Chancellor of the University System starting in 1935. His tenure oversaw a tremendous period of growth in construction at schools all over Georgia; however, he clashed with former governor of Georgia Eugene TalmadgeEugene Talmadge
Eugene Talmadge was a Democratic politician who served two terms as the 67th Governor of Georgia from 1933 to 1937, and a third term from 1941 to 1943. Elected to a fourth term in 1946, he died before taking office...
over control of the authority to set policy at UGA and elsewhere in the University System. In 1945, while in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
for a meeting of the Georgia Board of Regents
Georgia Board of Regents
The Georgia Board of Regents oversees the University System of Georgia as part of the state government of Georgia in the United States. The University System of Georgia is composed of all state public institutions of higher education.-History:...
, Sanford suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died. He is buried in the Marietta City Cemetery (Citizens Cemetery).
Athletic contributions
Sanford took on the position of faculty chairman of athletics in 1907 and performed those duties until his ascendancy to the UGA presidency in 1932. He was instrumental in the formation of the Southern ConferenceSouthern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
and its progeny, the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The building of the first baseball stadium (Sanford Field
Sanford Field
Sanford Field was an on-campus playing venue for football and baseball at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. It was built with wooden stands in 1911 and was named after Steadman V. Sanford. As a venue for football, it was replaced in 1929 by Sanford Stadium, which was built...
), a basketball facility (Woodruff Hall
Woodruff Hall
Woodruff Hall was a 3,000 seat multi-purpose arena on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia. It opened in 1923, and was located on North Campus in the area bounded by Baldwin Street, Sanford Drive, and Hooper Street now occupied by the Psychology-Journalism Complex. It was home to...
in 1924) and the current football venue (Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium
Sanford Stadium is the on-campus playing venue for football at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, United States. The 92,746-seat stadium is the seventh largest stadium in the NCAA. Architecturally, the stadium is known for the fact that its numerous expansions over the years have been...
) all occurred due to Steadman Sanford.