Dr. Ralph B. Draughon (1899-1968) was the president of Auburn University from 1948 to 1965 during post-WWII. Draughon, who received an honorary doctorate of laws from Birmingham Southern University in 1948, retired in 1965, after leading his alma mater through a turbulent period of growth and change. During his tenure, API grew into a modem university, very much in step with space-age America. Draughon oversaw the erection of 50 buildings, the doubling of on-campus housing, the inauguration of 16 doctoral programs, accreditation of the university from SACS and of individual programs from their respective organizations, the increase to more than 40 percent of faculty with terminal degrees, and the integration of Auburn University’s first black student, Harold Franklin on January 4, 1964. The Ralph B. Draughon Library is named in his honor.