Dean Sentelle

Mark Sentelle as a student

Davidson has a new dormitory, as yet unnamed.  Most dormitories are named for donors but one dorm on campus is named for the first Dean of Students. Mark Edgar Sentelle, Davidson College class of 1894, returned to Davidson in 1903 after earning graduate degrees from Yale and Princeton to teach Bible and philosophy — which he did until 1944.

Davidson Faculty 1922, Sentelle is 2nd from left in first row.

He also served as the first Dean of Students, holding that post from 1920 to 1941.

A strict enforcer of college rules, many students quavered when called to his office but all agreed that he was always fair, if stern.

One account, tells of student who missed a bus back to campus from Charlotte.  The first bus in the morning would get in too late for class. Hoping to keep his perfect attendance record, he chose to walk back to campus – a journey that took most of the night.  He arrived back on campus by 7am – and promptly fell asleep and missed 2 classes. He approached the Dean and told of his valiant effort to get to class. Dean Sentelle asked if he missed the classes. The student said yes. Sentelle then asked if they were excused. The student said no. The dean said “That will be all.” (Note the student in question was one Henry T. Lilly, who would return to teach English for many years at the college).

Sentelle house

A life long bachelor, Sentelle loved children and served as a surrogate father to his niece Agnes.  Later he would establish a scholarship in her name. The scholarship is given to a student above freshman class who is selected for his or her outstanding promise as indicated by character, personality, intellectual ability and scholarship. The home he shared with his widowed sister still stands in Davidson today.  It was a kit house sent in parts on train and constructed on site.

East/Sentelle dormitory

The dormitory originally known as East was renamed in 1971 for Sentelle in recognition of his dedication and service to the college.

Dedication program for naming of Sentelle Hall, May 22, 1971