Alfred Bryan Bonds
Encyclopedia
Alfred Bryan Bonds was a public servant, educator, and college administrator. He served as the fifth president of Baldwin-Wallace College
in Berea, Ohio
from 1955 to 1981.
. Bonds began his education at Henderson State College
, where he earned his A.B in 1935. He then earned a M.A. in English from Louisiana State University
in 1936. Post graduate work continued at Louisiana State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in 1940.
. World War II
led Bonds into military service. He first served as an administrator under the War Manpower Commission before enlisting. Bonds served in the U.S. Navy and was separated in May, 1946 as a Lieutenant (s.g). While in the Navy, Bonds befriended sculptor Felix de Weldon
, who was serving as an ensign under his command. Later, Bonds would help de Weldon secure the commission for the USMC War Memorial
.
, including Assistant Executive Secretary of the President's Commission on Higher Education, Chief of Reeducation and Training under the Department of Labor
, Education Consultant to UNESCO
, and training director of the Atomic Energy Commission
.
Bonds returned to his native Arkansas
served a term as the State Commissioner of Education. He accepted an appointment by Dwight D. Eisenhower
to serve as Chief of the U.S. Educational Mission to Egypt
. It was in Egypt that Bonds became enamored of the classics, as well as ancient Egyptian culture. Bonds accepted the position of President of Baldwin-Wallace College from Cairo, in 1955. He was the first lay president of Baldwin-Wallace College
, succeeding Rev. John Lowden Knight
.
, Mount Union College
, Cleveland-Marshall Law School, and Baldwin-Wallace College
; The Officer's Cross of West Germany
, and state honors such as being named a Kentucky Colonel
, an Admiral of the Nebraska Navy, and an Arkansas Traveler
. Bonds's cultural contributions to Baldwin-Wallace included designing the campus in the colonial style of architecture, and commissioning long-time friend Felix de Weldon
to adorn the student union in bas-relief sculptures.
Upon retirement, Bonds sat on numerous hospital and library boards around the greater Cleveland area.
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
in Berea, Ohio
Berea, Ohio
- History :The first European settlers were originally from Connecticut. Berea fell within Connecticut's Western Reserve and was surveyed and divided into townships and ranges by one Gideon Granger, a gentleman who served as Postmaster General under President Thomas Jefferson...
from 1955 to 1981.
Early childhood and education
Alfred Bryan Bonds was born November 3, 1913 in Monroe County, ArkansasMonroe County, Arkansas
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 8,149. The county seat is Clarendon, while its largest city is Brinkley...
. Bonds began his education at Henderson State College
Henderson State University
Henderson State University, founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College, is a four-year public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas's only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
, where he earned his A.B in 1935. He then earned a M.A. in English from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in 1936. Post graduate work continued at Louisiana State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1940.
Career
Bonds began his career in higher education administration, serving as assistant to the Dean while at Louisiana State, and a research project coordinator at Tulane UniversityTulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
. World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
led Bonds into military service. He first served as an administrator under the War Manpower Commission before enlisting. Bonds served in the U.S. Navy and was separated in May, 1946 as a Lieutenant (s.g). While in the Navy, Bonds befriended sculptor Felix de Weldon
Felix de Weldon
Felix Weihs de Weldon was an American sculptor. His most famous piece is the Marine Corps War Memorial of five U.S. Marines and one sailor raising the flag of the United States on Iwo Jima during World War Two.-Biography:...
, who was serving as an ensign under his command. Later, Bonds would help de Weldon secure the commission for the USMC War Memorial
USMC War Memorial
The Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue outside the walls of the Arlington National Cemetery and next to the Netherlands Carillon, in Arlington, Virginia, in the United States. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps who have died in the...
.
Political appointments and career
The war interrupted Bonds' work towards his Ph.D. His administrative skills found use in the federal government following World War II. He served in several White House political appointments under the administration of President Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
, including Assistant Executive Secretary of the President's Commission on Higher Education, Chief of Reeducation and Training under the Department of Labor
United States Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. Many U.S. states also have such departments. The...
, Education Consultant to UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, and training director of the Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
.
Bonds returned to his native Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
served a term as the State Commissioner of Education. He accepted an appointment by Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
to serve as Chief of the U.S. Educational Mission to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. It was in Egypt that Bonds became enamored of the classics, as well as ancient Egyptian culture. Bonds accepted the position of President of Baldwin-Wallace College from Cairo, in 1955. He was the first lay president of Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
, succeeding Rev. John Lowden Knight
John Lowden Knight
John Lowden Knight was a professor, university administrator, and a Methodist theolgian. He was President of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska; the fourth president of Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio; and the eighth president of the Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington,...
.
Accomplishments
Bonds was a gifted administrator and fundraiser. Bonds oversaw the construction of dozens of buildings at Baldwin-Wallace and a doubling of the college's enrollment. Bonds received accolades during his entire life, including four honorary doctorates from Ohio Wesleyan UniversityOhio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...
, Mount Union College
Mount Union College
The University of Mount Union is a 4-year private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Alliance, Ohio.Mount Union enrolls 2200 undergraduates. Approximately 50 percent are women and 50 percent are men, representing more than 22 states and 13 countries. Mount Union has an active alumni base of...
, Cleveland-Marshall Law School, and Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
; The Officer's Cross of West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, and state honors such as being named a Kentucky Colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
, an Admiral of the Nebraska Navy, and an Arkansas Traveler
Arkansas Traveler
Arkansas Traveler may have several meanings:*"The Arkansas Traveler" , a fiddle tune by Sanford Faulkner*Arkansas Traveler , an 1858 painting by Edward Payson Washburn*Arkansas Traveler made by the Southwest Manufacturing Co...
. Bonds's cultural contributions to Baldwin-Wallace included designing the campus in the colonial style of architecture, and commissioning long-time friend Felix de Weldon
Felix de Weldon
Felix Weihs de Weldon was an American sculptor. His most famous piece is the Marine Corps War Memorial of five U.S. Marines and one sailor raising the flag of the United States on Iwo Jima during World War Two.-Biography:...
to adorn the student union in bas-relief sculptures.
Upon retirement, Bonds sat on numerous hospital and library boards around the greater Cleveland area.
BW facts
- Bonds was the first president of the college not to have been a minister, or to have earned a degree in religion or divinity.
- At the time of his retirement, Bonds was the longest-serving college president in the United States.