A letter from James S. Summers to Laurence L. Doggett (May 12, 1916)
Description:
A letter from James S. Summers to Laurence L. Doggett written on May 12, 1916. In the letter, Summers suggests different camps that the Doctor can write to regarding a man named Clinton. He finishes the letter by stating that he hopes to make a trip to Springfield. Born in Australia, James S. Summers first heard of Springfield College (then known as International YMCA Training School) while life-guarding as a young man in Honolulu, Hawaii. Impressed by his swimming prowess, Dr. Hand, then the physical education director of the Y.M.C.A, advised Summers to study physical education at Springfield College. He began his studies the same year and graduated in 1911. He then performed Y.M.C.A. work with the Canadian and British armies during World War I, ultimately earning an honorary Captaincy in the British Army. After the war, he established the Physical Department of the Y.M.C.A school in Midmay, London. Eventually, Summers moved to Uruguay, where he founded the Montevideo YMCA (1909) and dedicated more than twenty-five years to serving the country as a Y.M.C.A. secretary. Doggett was Springfield College's fourth president. He was also the first full-time president and served in the position from 1896-1936. Under Doggett's leadership, Springfield College expanded its student body and faculty. Doggett also oversaw the building of a new gymnasium, library, swimming pool, and athletics. Doggett was instrumental in developing and implementing the College's Humanics philosophy which still guides the college to this day. He retired in 1936 and remains Springfield College's longest-tenured president. Dr. Laurence L. Doggett died in 1957 at the age of 92.
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