John James Tigert

John James Tigert, a native of Nashville, was the third president of the University of Florida. Tennessee’s first Rhodes Scholar, he graduated from Vanderbilt University, the institution founded by his grandfather. He was serving as U.S. Commissioner of Education when he was named president of the University of Florida in 1928, and he retired in 1947. During his presidency, enrollment increased from approximately 1,800 to 7,500, and several new schools and colleges were established. A star athlete himself, he organized the Southeastern Athletic Conference and twice served as president. As University of Florida president-emeritus, he served as education consultant to the government of India and as a professor at the University of Miami. Tigert Hall was named in his honor in 1960, and the university’s first Alumni Chair of Distinction recognized his academic attainments.

Gainesville, Florida · United States