August Kenneth Pye (August 21, 1931 – July 11, 1994)[1] was an American legal scholar who served as dean of the Duke University School of Law from 1968 to 1970 and again from 1973 to 1976, and as president of Southern Methodist University from 1987 to 1994.
A. Kenneth Pye | |
|---|---|
| 9th President of Southern Methodist University | |
| In office 1987–1994 | |
| Preceded by | L. Donald Shields |
| Succeeded by | R. Gerald Turner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 21, 1931 New York City, New York |
| Died | July 11, 1994 (aged 62) Lake City, Colorado |
| Education | University of Buffalo (BA) Georgetown University (JD, LLM) |
Early life and education
editAugust Kenneth Pye was born in New York City in 1931.[2] He graduated from the University at Buffalo with a B.A., and later received J.D. and LL.M. degrees from Georgetown University.[2] While a student at Buffalo, he became a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.[3]
Career
editDuke University
editHe served as dean of Duke Law School from 1968 to 1970 and from 1973 to 1976.[4][5]
Southern Methodist University
editIn 1987, Pye accepted an offer to become president of Southern Methodist University. The university was in disarray in the wake of a football scandal and struggled with a budget deficit, uneven quality in its colleges, and a national reputation for mediocre academics.[6] Pye put together a taskforce which developed a proposal it called Toward the 21st Century: Excellence and Responsibility, that would, among other things, require all SMU students to have a liberal arts major or minor.[6]
Pye proved capable of standing up to the school's powerful alumni and boosters.[7] He was active on the NCAA Presidents Commission.[8] In 1994 he resigned, citing health issues.[2] Pye died of cancer in 1994 in Lake City, Colorado.[2] D Magazine wrote that his death "left a gaping hole" at the university.[9]
References
edit- ^ Marquis Who's Who on the Web
- ^ a b c d "A. Kenneth Pye, 62, S.M.U. President Who Restored Sports". The New York Times. 12 July 1994.
- ^ The Buffalonian. Buffalo, NY: University of Buffalo. 1952. p. 104.
- ^ Durham, Duke Law 210 Science Drive Box 90362; Office613-7006, NC 27708. "Law Alumni Association honors community members for career accomplishments, dedication to Duke Law - Duke University School of Law".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Deans of Duke Law School | Duke University School of Law".
- ^ a b Celeste, By Eric (1990-06-01). "REVENGE OF THE RENAISSANCE MAN". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Magazine, By D. (1991-01-01). "THUMBS UP PYE KEEPS HIS PROMISE". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Rose, Laurence M. "College Presidents and the NCAA Presidents ' Commission: All Bark and No Bite". repository.law.miami.edu. University of Miami. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Ford, By Gerald (2010-01-13). "Gerald Turner Takes the Reins at SMU". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
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