Supple, Jerome H., 1936-2004

Dates

• Existence: 1936 April 27 - 2004 January 16

Biography

Jerome H. Supple was born 1936 April 27, in Winthrop, Massachusetts and grew up in Boston. Supple earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry at Boston College, his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of New Hampshire and did post-doctoral study at the University of California-Berkeley where he met his wife Catherine. They had three children: James, Andrew and Paul. He then worked as a various roles as a professor and administrator in the State University of New York System for ten years until moving to Southwest Texas State University in 1989 as its eighth president. Supple enjoyed pick-up basketball, golf, snow skiing, fly fishing, and folk music. Supple was actively involved in the local community and was an amateur folk musician; he played the banjo in a folk band with his wife called “The Newton Street Irregulars.”

Supple’s main goal as president was the enhancement of Texas State’s quality and prestige, which he accomplished with the addition of the first Ph.D. programs, higher admission standards, improved student retention from 57% to 75%, and dramatic increases in external grants and private giving. He implemented the purchase of the 90-acre Aquarena Springs theme park property, led the university’s first major capital campaign, opened the Round Rock Higher Education Center and presided over the celebration of the university's centennial (1899-1999). During his tenure, several major facilities opened, including the library and student center. He also initiated a dialog regarding a name change. Enrollment increased from 20,039 to 23,517.

The science building was named after him in 2003(?), the Jerome H. and Catherine E. Supple Science Building, which opened during his tenure as president.

Supple retired in 2002, and passed away 2004 January 16 due to prostate cancer.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records: