J. Broward Culpepper

Culpepper was born in Perry, Florida. His undergraduate work was completed at the University of Florida in 1929 where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity.[1] He received a Master of Arts from the Ohio State University.[2] then an educational doctorate from Columbia University. He married the former Betty Dunn and they had two sons, John Blair and Philip Bruce.[3]

Culpepper was Principal at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville, Florida from 1935-1938; Principal at Leesburg, Florida's High School from 1940-1941; Principal at Leon High School in Tallahassee, Florida from 1941-1944. He was Dean of Men at Florida State University from 1947-1954. In 1954, he became the first Chancellor of State University System of Florida, serving until 1968.[4] The University of West Florida, University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University were created by Culpepper before he took a position at Texas Woman’s University to be closer to family. He was designated a Great Floridian by the Florida Department of State in the Great Floridians 2000 Program. A plaque attesting to the honor is located at Leon High School in Tallahassee, Florida.[5]