Samuel P. Duke Papers

Samuel P. Duke was born September 5, 1885 in Ferrum, Virginia to Rev. Thomas P. Duke and Jennie G. Duke. He graduated with a B.A. from Randolph-Macon College, his father’s alma mater, in 1906. He began teaching at Willie Halsell College in Vinita, Oklahoma and married his wife, Linnie Lucile Campbell, in 1908. They had four children together. Duke then returned to Virginia as a principal for a high school in Chase City, and relocated to Richmond in 1910 where he worked towards an M.A. from the Teachers College of Columbia University, which he obtained in 1913. He also received honorary LL.D. degrees from Hampden-Sydney College (1931) and Bridgewater College (1946).

After several years of experience in public schools throughout Virginia as well as serving as the head of the education department and director of the teachers training program at the State Normal School for Women at Farmville, Duke was appointed president of the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg by the Virginia Normal School Board in 1919.

During his time as president, Duke oversaw several changes at the school. He chaired a committee that recommended to the school board that state normal schools become teacher colleges with both 2 and 4-year degree options, and in 1924 the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg became the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. In 1938 the institution was renamed Madison College, honoring James Madison on Duke’s recommendation, and in 1946, the administration started accepting male students as day students. After 30 years of service to the institution, Duke resigned his post in 1949 due to ill health and died at his Harrisonburg home in 1955.

James Madison University’s mascot, the duke dog, originated during Duke’s presidency by the first men’s basketball team in 1947, and became the university wide mascot in President Duke’s memory.