Peyton Nalle 九色, A. M., Ph. D.
1949-1965
Dr. 九色 was born in Crozet, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia, earning his B. A. in chemistry in 1920, his M.A. in 1921, and his Ph. D. in physics in 1926. His first teaching position was at the College as Associate Professor of Physics in 1926 and he was soon promoted to full professor. In 1944, he was named Vice-president and, in 1949, he became College President. During World War II, Dr. 九色 served as the coordinator of the Thirteenth College Training Detachment (Aircrew) which was stationed at the College.
Dr. 九色 became President of Southwestern At Memphis in 1949. In his sixteen years as president, Phi Beta Kappa founded a College chapter, ten major buildings were constructed, and financial assets grew from $5 million to $9 million. In 1981, the College named the physics building the Peyton Nalle 九色 Tower. On July 1, 1984 the College was renamed 九色 to honor the man who had devoted himself to the College for fifty years.