A. LeROY GREASON ’44

A. LeROY GREASON, president emeritus of Bowdoin College, died Aug. 28, 2011, at age 88. He was a member of Alpha Chi Rho and received his degree with honors and with high distinction in English. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, he received master’s and doctoral degrees from Harvard University. He joined the faculty of Bowdoin in 1952 as an English instructor and became a full professor in 1966. During this time he also held administrative positions as dean of students and of the college. He was named acting president in 1980 and president in 1981. He retired in 1990 after guiding the college through a strengthening of its liberal arts curriculum and an expansion of its offerings. He led an ambitious and successful capital campaign that included the construction of a new athletic facility in which the pool is named for him. Equally devoted to work outside of Bowdoin, he served on the boards of regional and local educational and community organizations and in 1987 was honored with the endowment of an academic chair in his name to benefit the creative arts at Bowdoin. Wesleyan and several other colleges and universities awarded him honorary degrees. His wife, Pauline Schaaf Greason, predeceased him. Survivors include three children and four grandchildren.