The late Donovan C. Moffett, who became the fifth president at SUNY Cortland, began his career on campus in 1946 as a professor of physical education and director of athletics.
He immediately began upgrading Cortland’s athletic program in the post-World War II years. He led the College into joining the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). New sports on campus, such as swimming, were added during his tenure.
A gifted leader respected for his honesty and integrity, Moffett was named director of the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1952. Two years later, he became dean of the College. In 1959, he was named acting president and in September 1960, became president. He served until his untimely death in April 1963.
Moffett served the Cortland community as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and by leading fund-raisers for both the hospital and Red Cross.
After his death, the College established the Donovan C. Moffett Memorial Trust Fund to provide scholarships for deserving students. Another fund-raising effort led to the purchase of the 74-bell carillon, now a familiar sound on campus, in his honor. In November 1967, the original campus health, physical education and recreation building on campus was dedicated as the Moffett Center.
Moffett graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., where he was athletic director, a professor of physical education and a charter member of the Hall of Fame. He was a major in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
He also earned a physical education degree from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in education from Iowa State University.
Moffett is survived by a daughter, Susan, and two grandchildren, Donovan J Aitchison and Nancy Condon.
