James Carter Blasingame (1866-1941) served as the first president of the Baptist Female University from 1899 to 1900. With degrees in Psychology and Pedagogy, Blasingame was only 32 years old at the time of his appointment, and had spent the previous seven years at other educational institutions. In the college's first year of existence, Blasingame had myriad responsibilities and little administrative support (no dean, no principal, limited secretarial help.) His salary was fixed by the Board of Trustees at $1800 for the year, plus board for himself and his family.
While considered an optimistic and charismatic leader, a faithful Christian, a gentleman and an energetic and conscientious administrator, Blasingame apparently ran afoul of instructors and the Board, specifically in the areas of student discipline and curriculum requirements. Mary Lynch Johnson assessment of Blasingame on NCPedia (written in 1979) is circumspect:
His insistence on a largely elective course of study was decidedly out of harmony with the ideas of the founders and trustees of the school.... nor had he any experience in a denominational school. His letter of resignation and the minutes of the board meeting accepting it show a clear and sympathetic understanding on both sides of a regrettable situation....During his one year he proved to be an able administrator, with initiative, enthusiasm and vigor.
Blasingame resigned on April 10, 1900 and subsequently left education. He worked the rest of his career in insurance, living in Virginia.
James Blasingame was elected as the first president of the Baptist Female University by the Board of Trustees on April 21, 1899. Board member John E. White was instructed to telegraph Blasingame with the offer and to request his reply.
An article in the News and Observer opined, "Dr. Blasingame… has shown himself to be one of the foremost educators of his State. He is up-to-date and progressive in his ideas, and his methods smell of steam and electricity. He is energetic to the last degree….”
For many, Blasingame was the public face of the university and as such received letters requesting information, jobs, funds and room reservations from prospective students and their guardians. In this letter addressed to President Blasingame, Miss Chessie Wheeless, says of herself: “I am a poor girl and desire an education.” Perhaps it is requests for help such as this that prompted Blasingame to establish “The Club.” This separate dorm reduced fees by having residents perform their own domestic chores. While we do not have Blasingame’s reply, there is a notation that a return letter was sent August 25.
Blasingame is at the center of this collage of Baptist Female University faculty. His salary was $1800. Dr. Delia Dixon-Carroll, at center right, was paid $400 plus "board and living." Art instructor Ida Poteat, at top left, earned the same.
"Baptist Female University President’s First Annual Report”
The first of ten typewritten pages of Blasingame's 1900 annual report to the Board of Trustees is in the Archives. In it, he reports on the hiring of faculty and staff, the establishment of "The Club House" (where students could pay less in room and board by doing their own chores), enrollment, academic departments, the buildings, salaries, the health and "religious condition" of the students and the general academic calendar.
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