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About
Before becoming dean, Francis Trow Spaulding received an A.B. degree in 1916 from Harvard College and an Ed.M. and Ed.D. in 1921 and 1926 from HGSE. In 1926, he also earned an A.M. degree from Columbia University. As an HGSE instructor in education in 1924, Spaulding began a 21-year association with his alma mater as a professor and administrator. He began as an assistant professor in 1926 and was promoted to associate professor in 1929 and full professor in 1936. In 1939, Spaulding became associate dean and assumed responsibilities as dean the following year.
Spaulding inherited a Harvard faculty in a precarious financial state and worked to generate more operating income by increasing student enrollment. Additionally, Spaulding sought to make the school’s research faculty more visible, fostered cooperative efforts within Harvard University, and shifted some of HGSE’s focus from teacher preparation to administrative training emphasizing education and social sciences research. With the passage of the Selective Service Act in 1940, HGSE faced the prospect of a drastic student shortage. The school offered students several attractive inducements, including part-time enrollment and reduced credits required for the Ed.M. However, it wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Many of the new initiatives had to be eliminated. Most part-time and term faculty appointments were cut. Certain tenured faculty members were asked to consider early retirement or unpaid leaves of absence in the name of wartime patriotism. Spaulding took a leave of absence in early 1942 to serve as a colonel in the Army’s information and education division. Though his official appointment lasted until November 1945, Spaulding’s active service as dean lasted all three semesters.
In 1946, Spaulding became commissioner of education and president of the University of the State of New York until his sudden and unexpected death in 1950.
Frank C. Bensing was commissioned to posthumously paint a portrait of Dean Francis Trow Spaulding in 1954. Bensing was an illustrator and painter based in New York City and Woodstock, New York. His primary medium was oil, but he was also known to use pastels and watercolors. He was born in Chicago and trained at the Art Institute of Chicago for seven years. Bensing was blind in one eye after a childhood bout of scarlet fever. He was known primarily as a cover and story illustrator for magazines early in his career, including Coronet, Country Gentleman, McCall’s, Pictorial Review, Redbook, and The Saturday Evening Post. Bensing also produced art for print-based advertisements.
His illustrations helped market Coca-Cola, Karo Syrup, Post Toasties, and other products. Additionally, Bensing created movie posters for RKO studios. Later, his painting activities became more centered on portraiture, but he also painted landscapes for his enjoyment. Bensing was a member of the Artists Fellowship, Artists Guild, Allied Artists of America, Dutch Treat Club, Salmagundi Club, and Society of American Illustrators. He continued to paint until age 88.