Concise Encyclopedia of Tufts History
Sauer, Anne
Branco, Jessica
Bennett, John
Crowley, Zachary
2000
MacPhie, Elmore I., 1888-1955
Elmore I. MacPhie (1888-1955), A1911, was a life trustee and benefactor of Tufts University and a pioneer in the plywood industry. He and his wife, Etta Phillips MacPhie, a trustee emeritus of the institution, were always active and interested in the welfare of Tufts and its students. | |
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts,on October 21, 1888, MacPhie attended Lowell and Winchester High Schools before entering Tufts. He was a member of theDelta Tau Delta fraternity chapter at Tufts, continuing his support of the organization after graduating in 1911. His other fraternal affiliations included the Shriners and the Masons. He married Etta Phillips, A1913,in 1915.The couple had two sons, Rodney and Franklin, A1942.After a brief period as a teacher, MacPhie turned to industry, serving as president of the Otis Allen & Son Co., Lowell, Massachusetts, from 1917 to 1927, when he assumed the position of vice-presidentand treasurer of Atlas Plywood Company. From 1935 until the time of his death, he was president and director of the Atlas corporation. He also served as an officer of many other enterprises across the country during his distinguished career. | |
In 1931, MacPhie was elected an alumni trustee, and, in 1948, was selected to become a life trustee. He was recipient of the Distinguished Service Awardthe same year. MacPhie became the senior ranking member of the Finance Committee, having served on it throughout his 24-year membership on the Board. For a number of years, MacPhie also sat on the Committee of Visitors of the Tufts Engineering School. He also was the permanent reunion chairman of the class of 1911. MacPhie died on March 22, 1955. | |
MacPhie Dinning Hall, built in 1962, was named in the couple's honor. | |
Source: VF | |
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