President's Office Records ...President's Office Records - Funderburk, 1938-1996
Administrative/Biographical History
Henry Hanly Funderburk, Jr. was born on June 19, 1931 in Carrollton, Alabama, to Henry Hanly Funderburk and Mary Ferguson Funderburk. He graduated high school in Carrollton, Alabama in 1949. He continued his education at Auburn University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science in 1953. Also in 1953, he joined the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant and served for two years in field artillery. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Auburn University where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Botany in 1958. In 1961 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Funderburk was first employed by Auburn University as an Assistant Professor in 1961 and through a series of appointments ultimately attained an Alumni Professorship. In 1967 he became the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School at Auburn University. He became the Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) in 1968 and served in this position until 1978 when he became the Chancellor at AUM. Funderburk guided most of the initial planning and development at AUM. He became President of Auburn University in 1980 and served three years in that capacity. In 1983 he was employed as Professor and Director of Government and Community Affairs at Auburn University at Montgomery.
On January 1, 1985 Funderburk was selected as eighth President of Eastern Kentucky University. Enrollment under Funderburk's leadership surpassed the 16,000 mark, even though the institution faced several state budget cuts. In response to challenging economic times, Funderburk instituted strict fiscal management and some academic and administrative restructuring. Enrollment growth at Eastern reflected a national trend of more non-traditional students coming back to school for further educational advancement. By 1998 over 75,000 people had graduated from the university.
Although some academic programs were cut back, new master's degree programs were initiated in Criminal Justice, Occupational Therapy, and Nursing to meet student needs. Several measures were taken to improve the quality of students entering the university, including increased support and funding of academic scholarships and the creation of an Honors Program, which helps provide an enriched academic program. An aggressive development program matured during Funderburk's tenure, including the establishment of two endowed chairs and several endowed professorships.
Several building projects--Dizney (Allied Health), Funderburk (Criminal Justice), and a major expansion of the Crabbe Library (the Hazel and Thomas Little Building)--were completed in the 1990s. In addition, a Wellness and Conditioning Center adjacent to the Begley Building and Student Services Building were in the planning stages when Funderburk retired. Extended campus centers at Corbin, Manchester and Danville were developed so that greater educational opportunities could be provided to people in Eastern's service region.
Dr. Funderburk married Helen Hanson of Carrollton, Alabama on July 26, 1953. The have two children, Debra Elaine Dahl and Kenneth Cliff Funderburk, and several grandchildren. Funderburk is a member of numerous educational organizations and associations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He is or has been a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, the Rotary Club, and the Kiwanis Club. He retired as President of Eastern Kentucky University on June 30, 1998 and now resides in Montgomery, Alabama.
IMPORTANT DATES IN THE LIFE OF HENRY HANLY FUNDERBURK, JR.
June 19, 1931 Born to Henry Hanly Funderburk and Mary Ferguson Funderburk in Carrollton, Alabama
1949 Graduated from high school in Carrollton, Alabama
1953 Received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science from Auburn University
July 26, 1953 Married Helen Hanson of Carrollton, Alabama
1953-55 Served in U. S. Army as a 1st Lt., Field Artillery
1958 Received a Master of Science Degree in Botany from Auburn University
1961 Received a Ph. D. in Plant Physiology from Louisiana State University
1961-1967 Employed by Auburn University as Assistant Professor to an Alumni Professor
1967 Became the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School at Auburn University
1968 Became the Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at Auburn University at Montgomery
1978 Became Chancellor of Auburn University at Montgomery
1980 Became President of Auburn University
1983 Employed as Professor and Director of Government and Community Affairs at Auburn University at Montgomery
January 1, 1985 Became eighth President of Eastern Kentucky University
June 30, 1998 Retired as President
Henry Hanly Funderburk, Jr. served as Eastern Kentucky University's eighth president from 1985-1998. These 244 boxes reflect Funderburk's influence on the historical development of the institution during a period of significant change in Kentucky higher education in regard to enrollment and financing. To meet these challenges Funderburk placed great emphasis on conservative fiscal management and an increased role of external fundraising.
This set of records also includes the last few years of the administration of J.C. Powell and thus makes up the official records of the office of the president from the early 1980s to 1996. The papers are divided into six series: Association, Council on Higher Education, General, Personal, Personnel, and Subject. The Association Series primarily concerns Eastern's involvement with numerous professional education organizations and several athletic conferences, most notably the OVC and NCAA. The Council on Higher Education Series documents official actions taken by the Council and Eastern's involvement with the state agency. The General Series bridges the gap between official and personal correspondence, especially invitations received by President Powell and correspondence with various Kentucky government agencies. the Personal Series consists of information about Dr. Funderburk's presidency at Auburn University, his appointment calendars, invitations received, and speeches delivered. The Personnel Series, due to provisions of both federal and state laws regarding privacy, remains closed to researchers. The Subject Series divides into a general Subject Sub-Series and seven additional Sub-Series--Academic Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Business Affairs, Committees, President's Office, Student Affairs, and University Relations and Development--which correspond basically to the University's organizational structure and documents the official policies and decisions emanating from the president's office.
This collection of records should be used in conjunction with several other record groups. Specifically, the photographic collection from the Office of Public Relations and Marketing has numerous negatives and some prints on the Funderburk administration. A series of oral history interviews with Dr. Funderburk, regarding a variety of subjects, and with faculty and alumni can provide useful supplementary material to the papers. The Board of Regents and Faculty Senate minutes and The Eastern Progress student newspaper offer an invaluable source of information about Funderburk and his presidency.