Interim, Pro Tem, & Acting Presidents
(1872- 1873) & (1874- 1876) James Kennedy, Acting President
Rev. Dr. Kennedy was Vice President during President Archibald's term and then served as acting president (1872-1873 and 1874-1876) between Archibald's resignation and President Wylie's inauguration. Rev. Kennedy was part of the inaugural faculty of Wilson College as a Professor of Ancient Languages. Under his administration, there was a notable increase in the size of the student body to 83 students: 11 seniors, 11 juniors, 8 sophomores, and 10 freshmen with the rest of the student body enrolled in the preparatory or special student divisions. Unfortunately, enrollment dropped again the following year from 83 to 69, highlighting the tumultuous nature of a women’s college at the time.
(1878-1881) T.H. Robinson, President Pro tem & Abby Goodsell, Lady Principal
As a member of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Robinson was elected as President pro tem (1878-1881), however management of the College was largely given to Lady Principal Abby Goodsell. Ms. Goodsell came to Wilson from the vice lady principalship at Vassar, her alma mater. From 1877-1881 she served as Lady Principal of Wilson. While at Wilson, she started the Alumnae Association. The library witnessed significant growth in 1880, as it grew from a few hundred to 1500 volumes through donations to the college. Ms. Goodsell ultimately left Wilson to take the same position at Vassar, where she worked from 1881-1891 until she resigned due to illness. She died on Sept. 19, 1893.
Elizabeth Edgar, Lady Principal/Dean (1883-1901) & Acting President, (1894-1895)
During her husband's presidency, Mrs. Edgar served as Lady Principal (equivalent to the Dean's role today).
Following the unexpected death of her husband, Mrs. Edgar unofficially took over as Acting President while the College searched for President Edgar's successor. During this year, Edgar Hall was built and named in her husband's honor.
(Summer 1975) Lawrence Dennis, Acting President
Dennis served as Acting President between President Cole's resignation and President Waggoner's election. Dennis had previously been Chancellor of Higher Education for the State of Rhode Island and provost and VPAA at Penn State. Dennis placed a great emphasis on increased enrollment for the college through student-enacted recruiting as well as increased financing with an emphasis on financial aid. Dennis outlined all of this in an article he wrote for the Wilson Alumnae Quarterly Magazine entitled "Wilson-Transition and Tomorrow". Dennis was also supportive in Wilson College’s participation in the Central Pennsylvania Consortium (CPC) which helped foster an intellectual community amongst local colleges in the central PA area.
(1979-1981) Donald Bletz, Interim President
Donald Bletz was born on July 28, 1925 in Mountville PA. He earned his BA at the University of Omaha and a MA and Doctor of Philosophy from American University. He served in the US Army for 32 years, eventually retiring as a full rank colonel. He became a political science professor at Wilson in 1975 and served as head of the business and economics department for approximately 6 years.
Bletz stepped in as the interim President from 1979-1981 in order to allow the Board of Trustees time for a more thorough presidential search following the near closing in 1979.
(Fall 2019) Richard Kneedler, Interim President
Dr. Richard Kneedler served as interim president (fall 2019)
Kneedler, began his career in 1968, serving on the faculty of F&M’s French Department. He also held the titles of vice president for administration and vice president for development, among others, before being appointed president of the institution in 1988.
Kneedler has a doctorate and a master’s degree, both in French language and literature from the University of Pennsylvania. His bachelor’s degree is from F&M.