EncyclopediaPusey, Nathan Marsh
Pusey, Nathan Marsh (pyOO'zē) [key], 1907–2001, American educator, b. Council Bluffs, Iowa, grad. Harvard (B.A., 1928; M.A., 1932; Ph.D., 1937). A classical scholar, Pusey taught at Lawrence College, Appleton, Wis. (1935–38); Scripps College, Claremont, Calif.; and Wesleyan Univ. (1940–43). Named president of Lawrence College in 1944, he doubled its endowment, raised faculty salaries, and erected new buildings. In 1953, Pusey succeeded James Bryant Conant as president of Harvard. During his tenure, the budget and endowment quadrupled, the number of faculty nearly tripled (and many more women were hired), salaries and benefits increased, and geographically and ethnically diverse students were recruited. During the McCarthy era Pusey defended the faculty against charges of communist influence. In 1969, when anti–Vietnam War student protesters occupied the main administration building, Pusey responded by calling in the police, who injured many. Students then called a protest strike, paralyzing Harvard. Although supported by the faculty, a beleaguered Pusey announced his retirement in 1970. After leaving Harvard (1971), he served as president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation until 1975 and was later active in New York City charitable organizations.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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