Dr. Douthat addresses the Class of 2007

Dr. James Douthat has served since 1989 as the 14th President of Lycoming College. Under his leadership, the College’s academic programs have grown and strengthened, endowment and other funds under management have increased from under 20 million to over 165 million, strategic planning processes have been implemented, several major capital campaigns have been successfully concluded, a significant building and renovation program has been undertaken, and a revised curriculum for the College was adopted.

Dr. Douthat began his professional career at Duke University.  He served there as Dean for Student Life until 1980 when he went to Albion College (MI) where he was Executive Vice President when he accepted the presidency at Lycoming. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Dr. Douthat earned a bachelor’s degree from The College of William and Mary. He holds a master’s in divinity and a doctorate in educational management, both from Duke University. 

President Douthat has served as the board chair of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), the Williamsport Area Chamber of Commerce, the Middle Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC) and the Lycoming County United Way Campaign.  He is currently a member of the boards of the Susquehanna Regional Healthcare Alliance (Susquehanna Health), the Lycoming (County) Foundation, the National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church (NASCUMC), Susquehanna Physicians Services, and the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.  Other public service has included membership on the Advisory Board of the School of Theology at Claremont (CA), and on the boards of the Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association (WVIA public television and radio), and the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU). His interests include the study of American and English History, 18th- and 19th-century Japanese netsuke, and international travel, having visited over two dozen countries.

Emily and James Douthat are the parents of two grown children, Mark, who lives in Connecticut, and Anna, a resident of New York City.