President George H. Denny Records

George Hutcheson Denny was the longest serving president of The University of Alabama and one of the most influential leaders in the history of the institution.

Denny was born in Hannover County, Virginia, on December 3, 1870. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1891 and a Master of Arts degree in 1892, both from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Virginia in 1896. After receiving his Ph.D., Denny returned to Hampden-Sydney College where he taught Latin and German. He also served as football coach during the 1896 season.

In 1899 Denny left Hampden-Sydney to become professor of Latin at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. In 1901, he was chosen as president, and served in that position until January 1912 when he became president of The University of Alabama.

At the time of his arrival as president, The University of Alabama had an enrollment of 400 students and a campus that consisted of nine buildings. Denny instituted a program to increase enrollment, improve infrastructure, increase funding, hire faculty, and improve academic standards. He made funding appeals to state and federal government, alumni, and private individuals and organizations. During Denny’s tenure as president, student enrollment increased dramatically. Much of the increase was from out of state students, especially from the northeastern United States. By 1936, just before he retired, enrollment stood at 4,800. Numerous buildings were constructed on campus during his presidency. The number of faculty grew, as did the number of faculty with Ph.D. degrees.

In addition to academic and physical campus improvements, Denny emphasized athletics, especially football. Under his watch, the football program improved from mediocrity to national standing. The University of Alabama made its first Rose Bowl appearance on New Year’s Day, 1926, beating a heavily favored team from the University of Washington. The team would travel to Pasadena five times during Denny’s presidency, posting a record of 3-1-1. Denny viewed athletic success as a way to publicize the university, recruit students, and generate funds.

George Denny retired as president in 1936, and was named chancellor. He assumed the presidency once again in 1941 following the death of his successor, Richard Clark Foster, and served until Raymond Ross Paty became president in 1942. Following his retirement, Denny lived in Lexington, Virginia, where he died on April 2, 1955. Denny was married to Jane Strickler Denny. The couple had two daughters. Denny Chimes and Bryant-Denny Stadium on The University of Alabama campus are named in his honor.