In Memory of Dr. Theodore Mercer Former Bryan College President

Dr. Theodore Mercer, a Spring City native, was named Bryan College’s new President on July 1, 1956. Mercer came to Bryan with 13 years of experience in college administration. He did his undergraduate work at Bob Jones University, from which he also holds the Master of Arts degree in Religion. He did graduate work in English at the University of Chicago and taught in the field of English for several years. In his years at the college, Mercer oversaw the construction of an $878,000 chapel, new dormitories, and a gymnasium, among several other things. Enrollment also rose from 235 to nearly 1,000 during his tenure.  In 1986, at the age of 66 and after leading William Jennings Bryan College for 25 years, Dr. Theodore C. Mercer died unexpectedly just weeks before he had planned to give his last commencement speech and retire.