Although 27 years of his career were spent in education, for Dr. Jim Daughdrill the entrepreneurial spirit was not something he learned in a classroom – he had it all along. Jim served as the 18th President of Rhodes College from 1973 until 2000, during which time his untiring leadership touched the lives of many and earned him numerous distinctions.
Prior to his tenure as Rhodes President, he served as Secretary of Stewardship of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, following his position as minister of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, AR. Before his entrance into the ministry he was a businessman in Cartersville, GA – president of carpeting manufacturer Kingston Mills, Inc. from 1958 to 1964.
Dr. Jim Daughdrill’s style of leadership centered on giving of himself. He has served as chair of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and as a member of the board of the American Council on Education. Jim was appointed by the Secretary of Education to chair the National Advisory Committee on Accreditation of the U. S. Department of Education. He has served as president of the Southern University Conference and as president of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities.
He has served as chairman of the Tennessee Council of Private Colleges and of the Southern College and University Union, as well as a director of the Tennessee Independent Colleges, the Chickasaw Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Memphis Partners, Inc., and the Liberty Bowl Football Classic. He has served as a trustee of the Hutchison School, Memphis University School, the Brooks Art Gallery, and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. He has served as a national trustee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Dr. Daughdrill was also the author of Man Talk, a book of prayers, and co-author of New Directions for Higher Education.
Jim’s list of honors is as long as his commitments – he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and was an honorary member of Omicron Delta Kappa. He was named McCallie School’s “Alumnus of the Year” and “Memphis Educator of the Year.” He received the “Spirit of Life Humanitarian Award” of the City of Hope in Los Angeles, the “Planner of the Year Award” from the Society of Professional Planners, and the “Community Service Award” of the Rotary Club of Memphis.
Nationally recognized Liberal Arts College
1848
2002
“Politicians love to talk about jobs. Where do jobs come from? Most come as the result of the vision and hard work of entrepreneurs. Both the private sector and the public sector (taxes) are dependent upon the private enterprise. The role of the entrepreneurs cannot be exaggerated in our economy and in our nation.”
