Jerome H. Holland

Jerome Heartwell "Brud" Holland (January 9, 1916 – January 13, 1985) was an American university president and diplomat. He was the first African American to play college football at Cornell University, and was chosen as an All American in 1937 and 1938. He was also the first African American to chair the American Red Cross Board of Governors, which named its Laboratory for the Biomedical Sciences in his honor. He was the first African-American to sit on the board of the New York Stock Exchange, and the first appointed to Massachusetts Institute of Technology's governing body, "The Corporation".

Early life and education Jerome Holland was born January 9, 1916, in Auburn, New York, the fourth child of Robert Holland Jr., and Viola Holland.

He attended Auburn High School from 1930 to 1934, where he played football and basketball, lettering in both sports.

His Cornell football exploits later led to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1965.

Delaware State College presidency Memorial statue of Dr. Jerome Holland, president of Delaware State College from 1953 to 1960 In early 1953, Holland met newly elected Delaware Gov. J. Caleb Boggs. After a couple of meetings between the two, Gov. Boggs convinced the Board of Trustees of Delaware State College to fill the school's leadership vacancy by appointing Holland to be the sixth president in the then-62-year history of the institution. In the subsequent years, some state officials were calling for the closure of DSC, while other advocated that it be converted to a junior college for Blacks.

Under President Holland's leadership, significant improvements were made to the operation of the DSC Business Office. Dr. Holland then persuaded the Delaware General Assembly (DSC) to appropriate $2.45 million to the college, which resulted in the construction of five new buildings, some faculty housing units, as well as other building additions and renovations. He oversaw the reorganization of the school's administrative structure and athletics programs, and the streamlining of its academic departments. The college's first-ever general education program was established during his tenure, and there was a significant increase volume of books and the usage of the campus library.

Hampton Institute presidency Holland succeeded Alonzo G. Morón as the ninth president of the Hampton Institute (now called Hampton University) in a tenure that lasted from 1960 to 1970.

During his ten-year presidency, Hampton experienced a new period of growth that included the construction of 12 new buildings at the cost of approximately $19 million. Alumni contributions increased by 643 percent; the annual budget of the school increased by 300 percent; the faculty increased in number by 66 percent and the average faculty salary doubled.

Post academia years and death Soon after Holland's retirement as president of Hampton Institute, he served as ambassador to Sweden for two years between 1970 and 1972. His appointment was protested by some Swedish people, and the demonstrations contained racist attacks for which the Swedish government issued an official apology. by President Ronald Reagan.

Family Holland was one of 10 children. His son Joe Holland also played football for Cornell. He was selected as a third team All-American running back by the Associated Press for its 1978 team, and as a graduate student with a 3.70 GPA, the same year, as an Academic All American. In 1991, he became a member of the Academic Hall of Fame. An attorney, playwright and entrepreneur, Joe Holland is a Republican, as was his father. He filed as a candidate for Governor of New York in the 2018 election.