Joseph Dupuy Eggleston

Joseph Dupuy Eggleston II (November 13, 1867 – March 15, 1953) was an American educator, the seventh president of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech), and the 14th president of Hampden-Sydney College. Eggleston also served as a public school teacher and administrator and as the chief of the Division of Rural Education for the United States Bureau of Education.

Early life Eggleston was born to Dr. Joseph Eggleston and Ann Carrington on November 13, 1867, in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He attended Prince Edward Academy and then Hampden-Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1886 and later a Master's Degree.

President of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute Eggleston served as president of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (now known as Virginia Tech) from 1913 until his resignation in 1919. Under Eggleston's leadership the school saw a new "building entirely for the sciences Bagby Hall) . . . . [Eggleston also] persuaded a descendant of one of the founding Trustees to give a building (Morton Hall) in memory of his ancestor - the most generous gift the College ever received." He retired as president in 1935, staying on four years until a successor was found.

Dr. Eggleston became an enthusiast of Prince Edward County history and family genealogy. His collection of notes and research on many Southside Virginia families can be viewed at the library of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, previously the Virginia Historical Society (VHS). Eggleston was the president of VHS from 1938-1943.

Eggleston served as State President of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution from 1930 to 1931.

Death After retirement, Eggleston continued to live on campus at Hampden-Sydney College. He died March 13, 1953. Only two years into his presidency at Hampden-Sydney College, it was noted that he was, "widely and favorably known as an expert in school affairs, and his services [were] constantly in demand in educational gatherings." This theme of innovation in education continued through his terms as president of Virginia Tech and of Hampden-Sydney. Eggleston's life was one devoted to education and the improvement of its instruction.

Honors

In 1952, a three-winged residence hall constructed by the Federal Works Agency between 1935 and 1940 at Virginia Tech was named for Eggleston.