From collection Member List
Dr. William Preston Few is known for being the first president of Duke University. Few was born on December 29, 1867, and attended Wofford College, where he became a member of Sigma (Wofford College) Chapter. He later received his doctorate degree from Harvard University.
Few began his career as an English professor at Trinity College. He became a dean of the college in 1902 and president in 1910. During his tenure as president, Trinity College was renamed Duke University. Few aided in the rapid expansion of Duke University during this time, working alongside James B. Duke to secure the Duke Endowment, which ensured the continuation of the institution.
Few was also dedicated to the revival of Chi Phi on the campus of Duke University and aided in the re-establishment of Alpha-Mu Chapter in the 1930s. He held several other leadership positions, including on the General Board of Christian Education, the Southern University Conference, and director of the Southern Education Foundation.
In his personal life, Few was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was part of the commission that wrote legislation to unite the three branches of Methodism.
Few died on October 16, 1940. Duke University honored his memory with the graduate dormitory Few Quadrangle.
Few began his career as an English professor at Trinity College. He became a dean of the college in 1902 and president in 1910. During his tenure as president, Trinity College was renamed Duke University. Few aided in the rapid expansion of Duke University during this time, working alongside James B. Duke to secure the Duke Endowment, which ensured the continuation of the institution.
Few was also dedicated to the revival of Chi Phi on the campus of Duke University and aided in the re-establishment of Alpha-Mu Chapter in the 1930s. He held several other leadership positions, including on the General Board of Christian Education, the Southern University Conference, and director of the Southern Education Foundation.
In his personal life, Few was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was part of the commission that wrote legislation to unite the three branches of Methodism.
Few died on October 16, 1940. Duke University honored his memory with the graduate dormitory Few Quadrangle.
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