A lantern slide of Springfield College's longest tenured president, Dr. Laurence L. Doggett. Doggett is pictured in full graduation dress and the caption below the image reads " Laurence L. Doggett,Ph.D, D.D, M.H., LL.D."
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Doggett was Springfield College's (then the International YMCA Training School) first full time president and served in the position for thirty-nine years. When Doggett took the post of president at the International YMCA Training School there were fifty students and eight instructors, two buildings and the school was $20, 000 in debt. In the years following Doggett's appointment, he expanded the campus to include a new gymnasium, athletic field, swimming pool and library and by the time of his retirement there were 535 students enrolled under a faculty of more than forty. Under Doggett's leadership, the School became known for its liberal religious teachings and for training leaders both inside and outside the YMCA. During his time as president, the College's "Humanics" philosophy, which calls for the education of the whole person -- in spirit, mind, and body -- for leadership in service to humanity, was implemented. The philosophy still guides the College today. Doggett died in 1957 at the age of 92.
