President John M. Gallalee Records

John Morin Gallalee was born May 4, 1883, in Portsmouth, Virginia. He received an M.E. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia in 1911 and became a professor of mechanical engineering at The University of Alabama in 1912. From 1933 to 1945 Gallalee served as Supervisor of Campus Construction and from 1945 to 1947 he was director of technical staff for the Alabama State Building Commission. He received an honorary D.Sc. in 1938 and an honorary LL.D. in 1948, both from The University of Alabama.

In December, 1947, Gallalee was named President of The University of Alabama. He served during a time of postwar growth. The increase of students after World War II led to a shortage of dormitory and classroom space on campus. Gallalee oversaw a sustained building effort on campus to try and solve the problem of inadequate space. He also was instrumental in the creation of the School of Nursing. In 1952, during Gallalee’s term as president, the university denied admission to two African American students, Autherine Lucy and Pollie Ann Myers. Lucy eventually became the first African American to enroll in The University of Alabama, in 1956, before being expelled shortly thereafter.

John Gallalee married Lua Vaughn Caulkins. He retired in 1953 and died in Tuscaloosa on December 4, 1961.