Henry (Harry) L. Jacobs
Henry (Harry) L. Jacobs, Bryant President from 1916-1961
Harry Jacobs owned the Rhode Island Commercial School in 1907.
By 1916 the Rhode Island Commercial School was doing so well that Jacobs was ready to expand. There were 5 other commercial school operating in the downtown Providence area. Bryant & Stratton Business College was among them.
The President of Bryant & Stratton Business College, Theodore Stowell was nearing retirement and Jacobs offered to purchase the school. The transaction was accepted and Jacobs merged the two schools into the Butler Exchange Building from 1916-1925. The new school was named Bryant and Stratton Rhode Island Commercial School.
During his tenure as president, Jacobs doubled enrollment and gained a competitive edge on the other commercial schools by granting degrees in 1916.
Presidents of Bryant University
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Henry L. Jacobs, Bryant President from 1916-1961
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E. Gardner Jacobs, Bryant President from 1961-1968
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Schuyler D. Hoslett, Bryant President from 1968-1970
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Nelson J. Gulski, Bryant Acting President from 1970, 1975-1976
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Harry F. Evarts, Bryant President from 1970-1975
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William T. O'Hara, Bryant President from 1976-1989
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William E. Trueheart, Bryant President from 1989-1996
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James A. "Dolph" Norton, Bryant Interim President 1996
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Ronald K. Machtley, Bryant President from 1996-Present
