1972-1975
Ross Pritchard was an educator, international economist and former Peace Corps administrator before serving as Hood’s sixth president from 1972 to 1975. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Arkansas, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Dr. Pritchard instituted broad changes in the curriculum that emphasized career preparation, affecting the courses that were taught and resulting in the development of a wide variety of internship possibilities. He also increased enrollment, developed the continuing education program for adults and instituted a coeducational graduate school. The Huntsinger Aquatic Center was built and Rayford was remodeled. After leaving Hood, he was president of several universities.