Name    :  P.T.Chellappa,B.A.,M.Sc.

 

He was perhaps the first Indian and one so young (less than 30 years) to hold an important post, the Acting Bursar of the American College when Mr. Paul R. Dettman, the then Bursar went on furlough. He is one of the very few members of the American Madura Mission to study at the American College and rise in the service of the alma mater to the highest position of Principal. As Bursar first and Principal afterwards, he nurtured the finances of the college with care. He worked for the growth of the physical plant which has been enormous thing that period. The NRSC building, The Women Hostel, the shops and officer complex and Centenary Hall would bear testimony to his work .At a time of vexation over stagnation of postgraduate departments of the college Prof. Chellapa boldly moved forward and succeeded in securing affiliation for M.A. English, M.Sc., mathematics and M.A., Economics in just six years. Introduction of M.A. Tamil and B.A. in Religion and Philosophy after his retirements were due to Prof. Chellappa’s parting efforts.

He encouraged with all his heart, staff development. He has laboured unceasingly to secure the staff the necessary permission and leave for higher studies. He had often to wrest it from the unwilling hands of extremely slow moving government bureaucracy. Having been Principal form the second year of the college’s autonomy, he worked hard for the consolidation of college autonomy.

One of the best qualities of Prof. Chellappa, which contributed to the eminent success at every level of the college administration, is his devotion to the duty, commitment to the profession and efficiency at work.

Name    :  B.Gunaraj, M.A.,A.M. (Boston)

 

Prof. B.Gunaraj who has spent 38 long years of service in various capacities that culminated in being the Principal of the college in the last two years. Prof. Gunaraj was born at Nagapattinam, in Tanjore Disrict. As his father was teaching in Madras Christian College High School, so the young Gunaraj moved to Madras. For his high school studies he joined MCC high school. He joined MCC to do collegiate studies and passed out in 1949. In, 1949 he set his eyes southward and came into Madurai and was appointed Lecturer in Mathematics by Prof. S. J. Savarirayan then the Principal of the American College. He had been a very good teacher. Teaching is an art and Prof. B. Gunaraj may be called “a born teacher”. As a Principal he has been very approachable person and has lived very simple life style. As an administrator he displayed exceptional qualities of perseverance, patience and forbearance. His transparent style of management was consultative and participative. His way of functioning had open communication and frank sharing of information.

For two terms he served as Vice-Principal of the college between 1970-1973 and 76-79. He became Bursar of the college in 1979 and continued to hold that position until he was appointed Principal of the College in 1985. His career in the college overlapped with some of the momentous periods of evolution of our college. Being in the bandwagon of pioneer, the college introduced Special B.Sc., autonomy and more PG courses in arts and sciences.

Name    :  D.Peter Jayapandian,M.Sc.,Ph.D.
               (Ohio)

 

Dreaming a good many dreams has helped Dr.D.Peter Jayapandian to come out successfully in performing himalayan task on the campus. The new building was born out of his dream. Library tier was constructed so as to house more number of books. M.Sc., Botany and PGDCA were started. Principal scholarship, Principal Discretionary Fund and ID cards for students and staff were introduced. The dream of Dr.DPJ became reality when MCA, MBA and B.Sc., Computer Science came into existence from 1992. The new four storied building and intercom facility which add glory to our college were completed. Computer net working was started in a big way at the cost of 20lakhs rupees so as to enhance the standard of every department in all possible ways. Women hostel extension was built and international guest house have started functioning from 1996. Chapel was renovated to retain its splendor and library and seminar hall were modernized. Work for a well planned building for the canteen was started. Doctorate courses in English, and Botany and B.Sc., Biotechnology, B.Sc., Microbiology were started to add luster to the academic growth from1996-1997.Dr.DPJ has accomplished the task of launching the dignity of the American college into the right orbit yet the onward march towards progress did not come to a stand still.

Three new courses B.Sc., Biochemistry, M.A.Social Work and B.Com., evening service were started from the academic year 1998-1999.

As a academician DR.DPJ insists on research so that teaching and learning could be improved. His achievement as Principal of The American College shows clearly that he works with sense of obligation to society. 

Name    :  D.Samuel Sudananda,M.A.,M.Phil.
               (MKU)., M.A.,Ph.D.(Washington)

 

He is a one of the finest teachers. His meticulousness in the class room has already become legendary in the campus. He saw to the fact that students always come prepared to the class. He is a reluctant administrator. This however, does not mean that he was either inefficient or indifferent to the goals of this noble institution. This reluctant administrator, paradoxically, was a great executor of projects. The starting of the satellite complex which involved purchasing of seventy acres of land and launching a massive building project is a tell-tale story of his power of execution. A reluctant administrator thus gave American College the legacy of new campus. He always liked to educate the younger faculty of the college. He was the one who saw why people postpone their research and therefore introduced novel Faculty Development Program for people who have passed middle age. He used to exhibit certain forthrightness as an administrator during critical times. He is one among the very few administrators who really stood for the right of the teacher. 

Name    :  T.Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar,M.A.
               (S.W),M.A.(Soc),M.Phil.,Ph.D.