James Rhoads

James Evans Rhoads from Marple Township, Pennsylvania was an American educator and administrator, president of Bryn Mawr College.

Biography

At the founding of Bryn Mawr College, Rhoads was named Vice-President. However, Rhoads became president in 1884 before Bryn Mawr was officially inaugurated on September 23, 1885.
Rhoads helped establish Bryn Mawr as an internationally respected, non-denominational school. It was the first higher education institution to offer graduate degrees, including doctorates, to women. The first class included 36 undergraduate women and eight graduate students. At the founding Rhoads gave a brief speech honoring Joseph W. Taylor, Bryn Mawr's founder. Rhoads served until 1894. James E. Rhoads Hall was named after him.
Prior to serving as President of Bryn Mawr, Rhoads was an active advocate for the social and educational rights of African Americans and Native Americans. He was a founder of the Hampton Institute in Virginia and co-founded the Indian Rights Association in 1882.
M. Carey Thomas followed him as president of the college.
In 1893, Rhoads was elected to the American Philosophical Society.