Ronald G. Eaglin

‌Chancellor, USC Coastal Carolina College: 1985-1992

Ronald G. Eaglin served as chancellor of USC Coastal Carolina College from 1985 to 1992.

As the largest branch campus of the University of South Carolina by the 1990s, the college had more than 4,200 students and more than 400 faculty and staff. Under Eaglin's leadership, the first residence halls opened in 1987, 10 new degree programs were added, grants and private giving increased more than 500 percent, and the average SAT score improved considerably. Eaglin was at the helm as discussion of independence with USC became heated and eventually led to the establishment of an independent, state-supported institution. His support for independence was central to the establishment of Coastal Carolina University in 1993.

The Board of Trustees voted to rename Santee residence hall – Ronald G. Eaglin Hall – in his honor; the building was dedicated in April 2011. He was named an honorary founder of Coastal Carolina University in 2011.

Following his tenure at Coastal Carolina, Eaglin served as the 12th president of Morehead State University in Kentucky from 1992 to 2004. Prior to his retirement, the Morehead State Board of Regents awarded Eaglin and his wife Bonnie each an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. The Morehead State University Space Science Center is named in his honor.