Fred Pierce Corson

He also distinguished himself as a Methodist pastor and district superintendent; as the twentieth president of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and as an ecumenical Christian leader.

Fred went on to study at Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, New Jersey, earning a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1920.

Fred entered the ministry of the New York East Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Nevertheless, during his decade of presidency, in often difficult times (e.g., during The Great Depression and World War II), Corson gained respect for his careful financial stewardship.

This election, of course, necessitated his resignation from the Presidency of Dickinson, a move which angered some and reopened old wounds concerning the College's relationship with the Methodist denomination.

In 1962 he served as (a non-Catholic) observer[3] at the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, called by Pope John XXIII and wrote a response[4] to the (Catholic document) "Decree on the Bishops' Pastoral Office in the Church (Christus Dominus).

[citation needed] Bishop Corson received honorary degrees from fifty different institutions of higher learning.

He was named Kappa Sigma Fraternity's "Man of the Year" in 1951, the first time this honor was bestowed upon a religious leader.