Paul E. Bragdon served as Reed’s president from 1971 to 1988. Born on April 19, 1927 in Portland, Maine, Bragdon served in the Marine Corps before receiving a B.A. from Amherst College (1950), and a J.D. from Yale Law School (1953).

Bragdon practiced law in New York City, and was involved in New York City legislative government. He served as the Vice President for Public Affairs at New York University from 1967 to 1971 before assuming the presidency of Reed.

During his time at Reed, Bragdon greatly increased the college’s endowment and focused on curricular development and facility construction. During his tenure, Spanish was accorded with departmental status, Senior Symposium was reinstated as an elective, and Vollum College Center, the studio art building, and the Cooley Gallery were constructed.

After leaving Reed, Bragdon took up the presidential office at the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, then at the Oregon Graduate School of Science and Technology. Upon retirement, he served as chair of the Library Foundation, and was the Interim President of Lewis & Clark College from 2004 to 2005. He received honorary degrees from Reed College, Amherst College, Whitman College, Lewis & Clark College, and Pacific University, as well as recognition from other higher education, civic, and non-profit organizations.

Bragdon was married to Nancy E. Horton and had three children.

[Information from the “Presidents of Reed” page on Reed’s website.]