Robert “Rob” Rives Taylor served on the ECTC board of trustees from 1934–1943. One of the first and most consequential matters Taylor and the board dealt with was the selection of a new president for the school following the sudden loss, in 1934, of Robert H. Wright, the founding president who had served in that capacity for 25 years. Dr. Leon R. Meadows, a longtime professor at East Carolina who had also served as secretary to the board of trustees was soon named acting president and then, following an extensive search, the new president of the school. The troubles that would characterize the last years of Meadows’ presidency only surfaced shortly after Taylor’s departure from the board.
Only one major building project occurred during Taylor’s tenure: a massive new classroom building, soon named the E. G. Flanagan Building, was completed on the southeast end of campus. Otherwise, the school witnessed both increasing numbers of men on campus and the beginnings of men’s athletic teams, along with a new athletic identity, as “the Pirates” rather than “the Teachers.” However, following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the beginning of WWII, a sudden decline in male enrollment and men’s athletics ensued. Marked growth in enrollment and gender diversification only resumed after Taylor’s years of service as a trustee.
Taylor was born near Emporia, in northeastern Virginia, and later attended Trinity College (now Duke University). Early on he worked as a bank cashier before entering the insurance business, with an initial base in Elizabeth City. Following his appointment, in 1921, as district manager for Equitable Life Insurance Company, he moved first to Elizabeth City and then, in 1934, to Greenville, more centrally located for his management responsibilities in eastern North Carolina. Throughout his life Taylor was active in the Methodist Church, first in Elizabeth City and then later, in Greenville in Jarvis Memorial Methodist Church.
Sources
- “City’s Loss.” Elizabeth City Independent. November 24, 1933. P. 1.
- “Conference Was Most Successful: Methodists of Elizabeth City District Returned Friday Enthusiastic over Hospitality.” Elizabeth City Daily Advance. July 8, 1922. P. 1.
- “Deaths and Funerals: Robert R. Taylor.” News and Observer. November 29, 1949. P. 17.
- “Four Members of ECTC Board are Reappointed.” Charlotte Observer. May 21, 1936. P. 6.
- “Governor Appoints Six of Three State Boards: Four Trustees of East Carolina Teachers College Given Reappointments.” News and Observer. May 21, 1936. P. 18.
- “Insurance Man to Locate in Elizabeth City.” Elizabeth City Independent. July 15, 1921. P. 4.
- “Meadows Named Head of College.” News and Observer. October 6, 1934. P. 1.
- “Promotion Comes to R. R. Taylor.” Elizabeth City Daily Advance. July 14, 1921. P. 1.
- “Temporary College Head is Elected.” Teco Echo. May 16, 1934. Pp. 1, 4. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/38018
- “Too Much for Politicians.” Elizabeth City Independent. June 15, 1928. P. 4.
Citation Information
Author: John A. Tucker, PhD
Date of Publication: 03/10/2023