Carl McClellan Hill facts for kids

Carl McClellan Hill (born July 27, 1907, died April 4, 1995) was an important American educator. He was also a leader in universities. He served as president of Kentucky State University from 1962 to 1975. Later, he became the 11th president of Hampton University from 1976 to 1978.

Early Life and Schooling

Carl McClellan Hill was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 27, 1907. His parents were William Franklin and Sarah Rowe Hill. He went to public schools in Norfolk.

Becoming a Chemist

In 1931, Carl Hill earned a science degree from Hampton Institute. He studied organic chemistry, which is a type of chemistry.

After college, he taught science at George P. Phenix Laboratory School. This was a high school connected to Hampton Institute. He also worked as a chemistry professor at Hampton Institute for a short time. Then, he became the principal of the high school.

Advanced Studies

Carl Hill continued his education at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He earned his master's degree in organic chemistry in 1935. His master's project was about how certain chemicals react.

He then received a special scholarship called a Rosenwald Fellowship. This helped him get his Ph.D. (doctorate degree) from Cornell in 1941. His Ph.D. research was about other types of chemicals.

Career in Education

Carl McClellan Hill started his career as a chemistry professor. In 1941, he worked at North Carolina A&T University.

Leading at Tennessee State

In 1944, he joined Tennessee State University. He became the dean of the chemistry school. A dean is a leader of a specific department or college within a university. Later, he became the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He also continued his important research in chemistry. By 1962, he was known as one of the best chemists in the country.

President of Kentucky State University

On December 4, 1962, Carl Hill became the president of Kentucky State College. Under his leadership, the college grew a lot. In 1972, it officially became Kentucky State University.

President Hill also worked to make the university more welcoming to all students. He helped increase the number of white students at this historically Black school. He stayed at Kentucky State University until he retired in 1975. He was the second-longest serving president there at that time.

Return to Hampton University

A year after retiring, he went back to Hampton Institute. He served as its temporary president from 1976 to 1977. Then, he became the official president from 1977 to 1978.

Research and Publications

As an organic chemist, Carl Hill was a lead researcher. He often worked with his first wife, Mary Elliott Hill, who was also a chemist. Their research focused on specific chemical reactions. He published more than fifty research papers. They also worked together on textbooks, like General College Chemistry (1944) and Experiments in Organic Chemistry (1954).

Awards and Recognition

Carl Hill received several special honors for his work. He was given honorary degrees from different universities.

• In 1966, he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Kentucky.
• In 1975, he received honorary doctorates of science from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Louisville.
• In 1969, Hampton University named him their Outstanding Alumnus. This award recognizes a former student who has achieved great things.

Personal Life

Carl Hill was an active member of his church, the First Presbyterian Church of Hampton. He held leadership roles there. He was also involved with the church's Board of World Missions.

He married Mary Elliott (1907–1969). They worked together on many research projects. After she passed away, he married Helen Ware Collins (1922-2011) in 1970. Carl and Helen were also active members of the Virginia Peninsula Rose Society.