Obituary - Dr. A.D. Albright

From Morehead State University Dr. A. D. Albright, the 10th president of Morehead State University, died Friday morning at his home in Wilmore. The 96-year-old retired educator also served as president of Northern Kentucky University and as executive director of what is now the Council on Postsecondary Education, in addition to several senior-level administrative posts at the University of Kentucky. “President Albright was a leader of strong integrity and high standards,” said MSU President Wayne D. Andrews. “His brief but effective leadership of this institution came at a critical time in our history. He was a towering figure in public higher education in Kentucky.” Coming out of retirement at age 73, Albright served as MSU's president from July 1, 1986, to June 30, 1987. The Virginia native was praised for his personal leadership at MSU in reversing an enrollment decline, strengthening and expanding academic programs and moving the institution into major gift fund raising. Dr. Albright earned the Ph.D. degree from New York University, the M.S. degree from the University of Tennessee and the A.B. degree from Milligan College. A former Fulbright Lecturer to Belgium, he holds honorary degrees from MSU, Berea College, NKU, Eastern Kentucky University and Thomas More College. A former member of the Carnegie Foundation National Advisory Panel and chairman of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Committee of Presidents, he has been a consultant to the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education, the U.S. Department of Education and the Ford Foundation as well as to state agencies in South Carolina and Tennessee. He has served on the boards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Southern Regional Education Board, the Kentucky Educational Television Authority and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Dr. Albright has been married to the former Grace Carroll of Etowah, Tenn., since 1939. His survivors also include two sons and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be scheduled later.